WES September 2015 by Our City Media

w Vi w si w. t ou us rc o it y n we lin st e on at .co m

Shawn Johnson, 2008 Olympic gold medalist, with TAG USA Gymnastics Owners Michael and Marissa Zoldan.

TAG USA Gymnastics

second Home to olympians see pg. 40

Your LocaL communitY news magazine! september 2015

Phone: 954-358-6010 robert@robertcoalla.com

24-Hour recorded Information for Price & address · call (800) 214-2138 Enter Four-Digit Code

Windmill Ranches

FeatuRe listing

Sophistication at its finest for today’s Contemporary Life-Style. 7 Bedrooms, 9.5 Baths plus Loft, Office, Gym, Billiard/ Game Room and much more, over 9,000 s/f Call today for a private showing of this true masterpiece. For More Information & Price Dial 1-800-214-2138 Enter Code 2102

Weston hills – FiRst time on the maRket

neW listing

Elegant residence with many upgrades. Truly a delight to see. Functional floor plan features Gourmet Island Kitchen w exterior downdraft exhaust system, SS appliances, wood cabinets and Granite Tops. Stylish blend of Marble & Wood floors throughout. Great home for entertaining with expansive screened outdoor Pool/Patio area. For More Information & Price Dial 1-800-214-2138 Enter Code 2432

sPRing Valley

luxuRy condo in Weston Rolling oaks

Reo

Bank Owned with corner lot location on 2.5 Acres in sought after SW Ranches. Key West style roof with 3 bedrooms and 3 baths and a pool. Many upgrades!. For More Information & Price Dial 1-800-214-2138 Enter Code 2362

Bank oWned condo in hallandale

Condo Unit in Gated Complex- High Rise 11th Floor Unit with nice north views and Intracoastal canal view. Great sized 1 bedroom 1.5 baths. For more Information & Price Dial 1-800-214-2138 Enter Code 2322

Reo

High ceilings and Spacious floorplan with Fireplace. Lake front lot with plenty of room for a Pool. For More Information & Price Dial 1-800-214-2138 Enter Code 2342.

Exclusive The Palms at Weston. Upscale living with Resort Style amenities. Popular C Model features 2 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, large balcony with nice views of Emerald Estates park. Great location close to elevator, open floor plan and Impact Windows. For more Information & Price Dial 1-800-2142138 Enter Code 2792

Nearly 2000 Homes Sold w/Over $800 Million in Sales Experience and Results www.Martinez-Coalla.com

Dental Specialists of Weston 2575 Glades Circle Suite #3, Weston, FL 33327

954.349.4993

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All Your Dental Needs In One Location… · Root Canal Therapy with the use of Microscope · Wisdom Teeth Extractions · Dental Implants · Cosmetic Periodontal Tissue Procedures · Gum Surgeries w/Bone grafting · Pediatric Dentistry · Oral Sedation/ Nitrous Sedation (Laughing Gas) · Sports Guard · Botox & Juvederm Special Se Habla Español Dr. Francisco L. Oliver, Periodontist

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MIAMI

Excellent “Family Dollar” store investment in Miami Dade County, Florida. Free standing 8147sqft building. Entire site and building is leased to Family Dollar. Offered at $2,740,477. Call Paul Tremblay – (954) 243-8894

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, CASA DE CAMPO

This amazing house is located in one of the most prestigious tropical seaside resort. House features 4 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, 1 half bathroom, updated kitchen, patio with large gazebo, pool with spa, 4026 sqft of living area Offered at $825,000. Call Roberto Tua – (954) 292-7304

DAVIE

Beautiful 4 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, plus an office, located on 1.1 acres. Great view of the lake and nature preserve. Over $200K in upgrades. Crown molding, marble floors, custom wood cabinets and much more. Definitely a must see. Ready to move in Offered at $ 1,100,000. Call Nancy Holguin - (954) 562-8808

HALLANDALE

Look no further, this is it, awesome direct ocean & intracoastal views. This 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths corner unit is for the buyer that wants it all at the beach club, nothing is missing here. The Beach Club offers resort style amenitites. Offered at $ 1,499,000. Call Doreen Salvati – (305) 525-7711

WESTON

Magnificent 2-Story”Bella Mansion”. Offers 7 bedrooms, 8 full bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms, 4 car garage, travertine circular driveway. Property is situated on a natural preserve with marble and wood flooring throughout, gourmet kitchen with huge center island, new roof being installed 2015. Offered at $3,500,000. Call Holly Catania – (954) 614-6207 or Bob Catania – (954) 614-6206

WESTON

Gorgeous lakefront pool home in gated community featuring impact windows thru out the home, marble floors, wood cabinets, theatre room, chef’s kitchen, library, 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms. Offered at $2,495,000. Call Jean Kachik - (954) 646-0777

Interested in a Real Estate Career? Please Contact… Sherry Clodgo

District Sales Manager

(954) 315-6900

SherryClodgo@keyes.com

WESTON

Waterfront home with over 4400’ of living area. Home offers 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, den, loft, huge storage area. Spacious kitchen with cherry cabinets, fenced yard, prick paver patio & pool with child gate and much more. Offered at $ 999,900. Call Holly Catania or Bob Catania – (954) 614-6207

BOYNTON BEACH

Amazing 2 story home features, 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms, wine cellar for over 2500 bottles, wet bar, marble floor throughout the home, huge kitchen, pool with Jacuzzi, BBQ area, generator, impact windows, and so much more. Offered at $1,898,800 Call Ariane Cohen from The Rosen Team – (786) 556-2140

NORTH MIAMI

Beautiful home in San Souci Estates. Very bright with a huge open space & more than 20 feet ceilings. Home features 5 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, 1 half bathroom, more that 4000’ of living space, beautiful wooden staircase, custom loft for office or library and so much more. Offered at $825,000. call Ariane Cohen from The Rosen Team at 786-556-2140

WESTON

Beautiful home located in guard-gated Tequesta. Home features, 4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, over 3000’ sqft of living area, new porcelain floors, gourmet kitchen with wood cabinets, 2 new a/c units, ceiling fans, remodeled kitchens and so much more. Offered at $675,900 Call Ana DeGrace – (954) 562-8068

WESTON

Beautiful builders model home. Home features oversized corner lot with circular driveway on a cul-de-sac, pool on a large fenced yard, 12’ high ceilings throughout home, 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 2 car garage, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen, and so much more Offered at $ 539,900 Call Ramona Bautista – (954) 854-0937

NORTH MIAMI BEACH

Calling all investors, duplex located near Biscayne Blvd and The Aventura Mall. Long term fully rented tenants. Duplex in a very nice area. Offered at $ 375,000. Call Filippo Vespa – (954) 540-2806

WESTON

Located on a quiet street lined with beautiful trees and long walking trails in Savanna. This lovely home features 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 12 ft ceilings, and a pool surrounded by a charming tropical rock garden. Offered at $599,000 Call Angie Guerrero - (954) 815-0671

FT. LAUDERDALE

Great neighborhood, quiet cul-de-sac, boaters will enjoy direct access to the ocean, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, welcoming private courtyard with spa, great open indoor/outdoor living space for entertaining. Live the Ft. Lauderdale lifestyle in this great home. Offered at $525,000. Call Rob Morrison – (917) 499-5137

MIRAMAR

Beautiful 2 story home in Huntington. Home features: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, impact windows, new stainless steel appliances, travertine & Saltillo tiles in main living area. Over 2600 sq ft of living area. Offered at $ 459,000 Call Carmen Singh – (954) 655-8571

  ·   ·  ·   

MIRAMAR

Great location, home features 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms,huge master suite with sitting area, gourmet kitchen, laundry room, accordion shutters, covered terrace with spectacular lake view. Offered at $ 564,000. Call Rosa Rosales – (954) 303-2701

DORAL

Beautiful townhouse, 3 bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms, lake and golf view from the great room, master bedroom and second room. Kitchen cabinets and bathroom cabinets all wood with granite counter tops. Offered at $ 415,000. Call Patricia Woods from The Rosen Team – (954) 478-3668

SUNRISE

Great home, 5 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, over 2000 sqft living area, great location, close to schools, shopping. Offered at $ 259,000. Call Filippo Vespa - (954) 540-2806

THE KEYES COMPANY 1535 Three Village Rd, Weston, FL 33326

954-389-3459 www.Keyes.com

Contents

Legally Speaking 77 Winning Foreclosure Defenses Take Center Stage 80 I Thought My Divorce Was Over!

Publisher’s Page

Tee to Green

12 Fall Family Time

86 Understanding How to Manage the Course

Calendar 14 September 2015r

Community News 16 Weston Named One of Family Circle’s Best Towns for Families 16 There’s Something for Everyone at the Weston Community Center 18 Standing Ovation for Weston Philharmonic Society’s Summerfest Concert 20 City Seeks Residents’ Input on Proposed Budget 22 Weston Reduces Building Permit Fees 24 JAFCO Spirit of Life Luncheon Honors Founders 24 Community Invited to College Counseling Seminar at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church 26 Weston University Now Accepting Applications for Class of 2016 28 Seven Weston Athletes Compete for Team

pet of the month

24 Health and Wellness 43 70 81 84 87

Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Are Not Always the Best Option Am I Married to an Addict? Back Care Quiz How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes and Vision Change your Thoughts, Change your Life: theMind-Body Connection 88 Signs of Stress

Ask the Expert 46 52 74 78 78 82 88

Get Rid of Your Double Chin with Kybella How a Regular Physical Fitness Plan Can Benefit Seniors Obesity Epidemic Your Personal Pap Test Schedule Prenatal Oral Care and Your Child It’s Not Just About Your Social Network Profile Ankle Ligament Injuries in Children

INSPIRING INDIVIDUAL

68 USA in European Maccabi Games 34 Weston Paramedics Train for Flakka 36 Weston BSO Offers Tips to Protect Your Property . . . . . . . . . . 38 Weston Explorer Post Wins Four Awards at State Competition

Mayor’s Message 30 Public Participation Encouraged In Budget Approval Process

Legislative Look 31 Recap of the 2015 Legislative Session and Special Session

Real Estate 32 Market Update - Summer/Fall 2015

business spotlight 40 TAG USA’s Most Popular, All-Action, Sports & Gymnastics Aftercare Program

50 Weston Entrepreneur Recognized as Hispanic Woman of Distinction 50 AAUW Weston Honors Founding President 54 Weston Artist Finds Continued Success in Unconventional Art Form 56 Weston Musician Attends National Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Music Institute

Photo of the month 91 The World’s Favorite NewspaperTM

Pet care 92 Gastrointestinal Parasites in Dogs and Cats

Rotary News 94 Weston Rotary Supports New Club for Young Professionals

Business Spotlight 96 Dr. Briseida Casta Is Committed to Caring for Children 97 Frank Walker State Farm Insurance Has You Covered

It’s Their Business 98 Dr. Gail Pezzullo-Burgs Provides a Holistic Approach to Women’s Wellness

Camp Round-up 100-102 Summer Fun

Seen on scene 104 Community Snapshots

Business Beat 106 Happenings in the Local Business Scene

Can Do Kid 58 Weston Teen Starts Chinese Program at Boys & Girls Clubs

School News 60 Six Weston Students Claim College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships 62 Falcon Cove Teacher Tours Germany Through TOP Fellowship 64 Cypress Bay Teacher Helps Revise Holocaust Education Curriculum for Florida Students 66 Temple Dor Dorim’s Preschool Introduces New Nutrition and Health Curriculum 68 Sagemont Early Childhood and Kindergarten Students Get a Taste for Science

home decor 72 House or Home?

Positive Parenting 76 A “New Year” Resolution

90 “Woodster”

SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

Now that kids are back to school, it’s time to

reward yourself. Our greatest goal is to give you the healthy, straight, beautiful smile that you’ve always wanted. We understand that choosing to receive orthodontic care is a big decision, and we respect your reasons for wanting to improve the way you look and feel. Our practice will work with you every step of the way to make sure that your orthodontic care is as comfortable, convenient, and rewarding as possible. We’ll use the latest technology, offering a variety of safe and gentle treatment options, giving you the customized, individual care that you deserve. During your complimentary consultation, Dr. Alon Grosman will: • Review your dental and medical history forms • Provide a complete oral exam, with X-rays, to determine if treatment is necessary • Help you create a customized treatment plan • Discuss all financial information, insurance options, and payment plans

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We will explain everything that you will need to know about your orthodontic treatment so that you can choose what’s best for you – no strings attached. If you’d like to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Alon Grosman, please call 954-236-3434.

4401 S Flamingo Rd, Suite 109 • Davie, FL 33330 • Tel: 954-236-3434 • www.grosmandental.com

Celebrating 9 Years

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954.389.5188

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Towards your check of $50 or more. Dinners Only, Mon-Thurs, Valid at Weston location only. Before Tax. One Coupon per table. Must Present Coupon. Holidays Not Included. Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be combined with any other offer. Exp. 09/30/15

Party trays WES

▶ Preschool Classes ▶ Girls & Boys Gymnastics ▶ Coed Trampoline Classes ▶ Power Tumbling Classes ▶ Competitive Teams ▶ Aftercare & School Pickup ▶ Fast Track Training

Un Nuevo e Increible Gimnasio Para Toda La Familia

best facility…lowest prices…where every child is a champion 1951 N. Commerce Pkwy, Weston

954.384.9393 www.TagGymnastics.com

our city weston | SEPTEMBER 2015

11 11

Publisher’s Page

Fall Family Time

he summer of 2015 is slowly coming to an end. Summer vacations are fading into memory and the kids are settling into their school routines. With football season kicking into high gear, our lives are slowly returning to “normal.” While our afternoons and evenings may seem to be a blur of racing to and from afterschool activities, sports practices and music lessons, let’s not forget that the fall season in Florida has plenty to offer for family fun. The sun is not quite so scorching hot, and the ocean waters are still warm and beautiful. So put down the tablet, switch off the game console, and get out there and enjoy the soothing surf, take an airboat tour through the Everglades, or simply make time for a movie matinee. Whatever you choose to do, do it with family and friends. Our hectic lives force us to spend time separated from loved ones for most of the day, either at work or school, so make sure you make the time to enjoy each other’s company whenever you can. Have a fantastic fall season.

Publisher/Owner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SVEN BUDZISCH Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stacey Bomser sales manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Koval Account Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Joyce Bak, Mariem Garcia, Ada Rivera, Patricia Maiello, Marcela Fuxman Office manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gabriela Moscoso Graphic Design & photographY . . . . . . . Barry Stock, Grace Umlauf Web Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grace Umlauf

Visit us online: www.OurCityWeston.com

1960 N Commerce Parkway, Suite 3, Weston, FL 33326

Ph: 954-306-1007 • Fax 954-306-1008

editorweston@ourcitymedia.com • graphics@ourcitymedia.com Our City Media, Inc. publishes FREE monthly, local community news magazines covering Weston, Davie/

Sincerely,

SW Ranches/Cooper City, Sunrise, Plantation, Pembroke Pines, Miramar and Hollywood & Hallandale. Total circulation is 20,000+ per edition or a total of 140,000+ copies per month. Our City Magazines are direct mailed monthly to affluent single-family homes, condos and businesses in their respective communities

Sven Budzisch Publisher/Owner

covering all of Southwest Broward County. Monthly mailings are verifiable by USPS statements available at www.OurCityMedia.com. Additional free copies are available at selected locations throughout their respective communities and upon request by contacting this news magazine. Opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our City Media, Inc. reserves the right to edit and/or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our City Media, Inc. is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers. Entire contents copyrighted 2014 by Our City Media, Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden in any media without prior written permission from the publisher.

SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

1 yeAr 09.18.15

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Calendar Septemebr 2015

5th

11th

Latin Music Concert – In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Weston Branch Library presents the Papagayo Vocal Ensemble. The concert takes place from 4-5pm. For more information call 954-357-5304.

Chair Yoga – The Weston Branch Library offers a free chair yoga class for adults and seniors every Friday from noon to 1pm. Chair yoga is a gentle form of yoga that is practiced sitting on a chair or standing using the chair for support. For more information call 954-357-5304.

8th Knitting and Crocheting Club – Crafters who enjoy knitting and crochet are invited to join this club which meets every Tuesday from 3-5pm at the Weston Branch Library. Please bring your own needles and yarn. The club is for adults only. For more information call 954-357-5304.

15th Mindfulness, Movement and Meditation Training – Weston Yoga is offering a six-week training program in this meditation practice that enhances the mind-body connection. Tuesday classes are held from 11:30am-1pm and Wednesday classes are held from 8-9:30pm. Weston Yoga is located at 2600 Glades Circle, Suite 400. To register or for more information please call 954-349-6868 or visit www. westonyoga.com.

10th Children’s Yoga – The Weston Branch Library offers free yoga classes for tiny tots. Baby Yoga (3-11 months) is from 10:30-11am, Toddler Yoga (12-35 months) is from 11:30am-12pm, and Preschool Yoga (3-5 years) is from 12:30-1pm. Classes are in the multipurpose room. For more information contact the Youth Services Department at 954-357-5430.

Hispanic Heritage Month Movie – At 6pm, the Weston Branch Library will screen the documentary Latino Americans: 500 Years of Latino American History, episode II, “Empire of Dreams”, followed by a discussion led by Dr. Barbara Ganson, Director of the Latin American Studies Program at FAU. For more information call 954-357-5304.

23rd

17th Weston Friends Club Outing – Join the Weston Friends Club for a trip to the Flagler Museum in West Palm Beach. Enjoy a docent-led tour of the national historic landmark followed by lunch. For more information on this event, please call Diana Whitfield at 954-217-5027.

19th

SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

Appraiser’s office will be taking homestead exemption applications and answering assessment questions at the Weston Branch Library from 4:306:00pm. For more information contact Nicoletta Jones at 954-357-5579 or email njones@bcpa.net.

29th Celebrate Latino American Culture – The Weston Branch Library will host a Latin dance class featuring salsa and cha-cha, presented by Salsabor Florida. The program takes place from 6-7:30pm. For more information call 954-357-5304.

Oct. 8th Weston Friends Club Book Markers – This book club will meet at a member’s home to discuss Resistant by Michael Palmer. For more information about this book club or other Weston Friends Club events and activities, please call Nancy Russo at 954-385-1445.

26th

Family Movie – The Weston Branch Library presents Big Hero 6 at 1pm in the multi-purpose room. It’s the story of the special bond that develops between a plus-sized inflatable robot and a team of high-tech heroes. It is rated PG.

22nd

Weston Friends Club Simply 5-Deck Canasta – This group plays the fourth Wednesday of the month at 1pm in a member’s home. For more information about this activity or other Club activities, please call Judy Good, VP Membership, at 954-349-1578.

9th Weston Library Book Club – This book club meets the second Wednesday of the month from 6:307:30pm. This month’s book is Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini. Copies are available at the information desk. For more information call 954-357-5304.

For more information contact the Youth Services Department at 954-357-5430.

Oct. 10th “Home”– Bring the blankets, lawn chairs and plenty of popcorn it’s opening night of Moonlight Movies in the Park. All ages will enjoy this animated film about Oh, an alien on the run from his own people, who lands on Earth and makes friends with the adventurous Tip, who is on a quest of her own. This free, family event takes place at the Event Stage in the Weston Regional Park at 8pm. For more information, please call 954-389-4321 or visit www.westonfl.org.

Oct. 21st Road Map to College Seminar – The Women of Faith Ministry at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church is hosting a free college planning program for high school juniors and seniors, and their parents. Laura Brancheau, director of college counseling at Archbishop McCarthy High School, will be the speaker. It will take place from 9-11am at the church, 2501 South Post Road. For more information or to RSVP, email skdwomenoffaith@gmail.com.

28th Homestead Exemption Services – The Broward County Property

JAFCO Spirit of Life Luncheon – The 13th annual Michelle Goldstein Spirit of Life Luncheon benefits JAFCO, a one-of-a-kind organization serving abused and neglected children and those with developmental disabilities. The luncheon festivities begin at 10am at Weston Hills Country Club with a vendor boutique, silent auction and raffle, followed by a delicious lunch and Godparent pinning ceremony. Tickets can be purchased at www.JAFCO.org by clicking on “Events.”

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Weston Named One of Family Circle’s Best Towns for Families SECTION HEAD Community News

By Stacey Bomser

ur secret’s out. The August issue of Family Circle magazine named Weston the Family Circle article. “It was great because I could tell everybody how blessed as one of the ten Best Towns for Families for 2015. I feel living in Weston.” Recognized for its cultural diversity, expansive park system, excellent The Socas-Ortiz family is so proud of their community that they named two schools, and community involvement, racehorses in its honor. “Racehorses the City of Weston was one of ten localiare our passion and my husband is ties nationwide to make the annual Best very happy and proud to live in this city,” Towns list. shares Socas. “One day he said, ‘We “It is gratifying to know that the City are going to have a great and beautiful that we know and love is recognized horse and name it “City Of Weston” to nationally for the qualities that we show gratefulness to our hometown.’ cherish,” states Mayor Daniel Stermer. We were so lucky he found ‘City of “Our hometown feel is accomplished Weston’ and it won several stakes.” by having fantastic parks and cultural The family also owns a racehorse in activities that families can enjoy and Venezuela named “City of Weston.” exemplary service to our community at According to Family Circle, Weston all levels.” was selected from a list of 4,500 cities The article notes that 55% of houseand towns with populations between holds in Weston have children and the 10,000 and 100,000. That list was further community has a GreatSchools ranking narrowed to 1,400 communities having of 9. It also recognized the work the a high concentration of households with Rotary Club of Weston does to support median incomes between $60,000 and Weston resident Monica Socas (center), pictured here with husband our community, including holding two $100,000. Those were then assessed Luis Ortiz and family, feels blessed to have been able to share with Family Circle readers why she is proud to call Weston home. major fundraisers which benefit local and ranked based upon certain familycharities and students. Weston was also friendly criteria – affordable homes, acknowledged for its cultural diversity, with nearly 40% of the population being quality schools, access to health care, low crime rate, and financial stability. foreign born. Rounding out the top ten list are East Grand Rapids, Michigan; Hernando, Monica Socas, who moved here from Venezuela seven years ago, was featured Mississippi; Issaquah, Washington; Mason, Ohio; Matthews, North Carolina; in the article. She says she and her family couldn’t be happier with their decision, Pittsford, New York; Waukee, Iowa; Waunakee, Wisconsin; and West Linn, Oregon. calling Weston the perfect place to raise a family. “It’s a wonderful place; quiet, To view the full article, please visit http://www.familycircle.com/ secure, and offers great schools.” family-fun/travel/the-best-towns-for-families-2015/?page=10. Socas says it was an honor to be able to share her love for our community in

There’s Something for Everyone at the Weston Community Center By Stacey Bomser

ne of the reasons Weston is such a desirable place to live is because of its exceptional cultural and recreational opportunities. The City maintains and operates 13 parks plus the Weston Tennis Center and runs numerous sports leagues for both children and adults. In addition, the Weston Community Center, located within Weston Regional Park, offers a variety of classes catering to all ages and interests. “Opportunities for learning are available to everyone,” states Don Decker, Weston’s Director of Parks and Recreation. “Someone’s first introduction to the Community Center could happen as an infant or young child in some of our enrichment programs such as Babykinetics or Fun in Spanish. Seniors have opportunities for social interaction and recreation through our partnership with the 55+ Club.” For children, program choices include active classes such as Superstars Dance and Baton, Karate, and Kidokinetics. There are also a variety of visual and performing arts programs including Kids Art Rocks and several theater and performance classes taught by the Inside Out Theatre Company.

Children can also enroll in intellectually-stimulating programs such as Fun in Spanish, where preschoolers learn and practice Spanish, and Buildbot Robotics, where children ages seven to 14 design, build and program robots to solve amazing challenges. New this year is Geeks Grid. Kids, ages nine to 18, will explore, enrich and broaden their educational horizon by learning basic electronic circuits and coding with Raspberry Pi and Python to build creative and meaningful things. An S.A.T. Preparation class for high school students is offered throughout the year. Another unique program at the Weston Community Center is the Social Communication Station. This eight-week program is designed for students with a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome, high-functioning autism, ADD/ADHD, social anxiety, or any other social learning challenges. The adult offerings at the Weston Community Center are equally varied. A professional artist teaches watercolor painting. For those looking for more action, there are karate classes for adults. The Community Center also hosts weekly Open Bridge and Open Mahjong games. A list of current programs for children and adults can be downloaded at http:// www.westonfl.org/media/docs/misc/Class_Schedule.pdf. There is a nominal fee to participate in many of the programs at the Weston Community Center. Generally, the tuition is charged either by the month or by the session. The fall session starts this month. The Weston Community Center is located at 20200 Saddle Club Road within Weston Regional Park. The administrative offices are open Monday through Friday from 8am until 5pm. For more information on any of the programs available at the Weston Community Center, please call (954) 389-4321.

SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

Standing Ovation for Weston Philharmonic Society’s Summerfest Concert Community News

By Stacey Bomser

pproximately 200 music lovers enjoyed the Symphony of the Americas’ Summerfest concert, presented by the Weston Philharmonic Society. The performance featured the Arpeggione Chamber Orchestra of Austria joined by select musicians from the Symphony of the Americas under the baton of the Symphony’s artistic director, Maestro James Brooks-Bruzzese. Summerfest is the longest running music festival to take place in Florida. The annual event features an internationally acclaimed European chamber orchestra joined by members of the Symphony of the Americas in a cultural exchange. The musicians played numerous performances throughout Florida, including a concert here in Weston at Temple Dor Dorim. The music selection ranged from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to Offenbach’s Can Can. The highlights of the concert included a solo performance by Endre Balog, principal cellist of the Arpeggione Chamber Orchestra, and a rousing encore with a jazz version of It Was Just One of Those Things, complete with a riff by the lead violinist and twirling cellos, which brought the entire audience to its feet for a standing ovation. The evening also included the recognition of three long-time Weston Philharmonic Society supporters for their service and dedication: Raphael Almendros and Marion and Ken Golen. Raphael Almendros, who has served as a Vice President of Cello solist Endre Balog of the Arpeggione Chamber both the Weston Orchestra of Austria performed with selected members of the Symphony of the Americas at the Philharmonic Society Summerfest concert. Photos courtesy Dr. John Lister.

and Arts Council of Greater Weston Board of Directors. He was credited for finding many of the performers for the Philharmonic’s intimate programs such as the salons and the former Enchanted April concert. Although no longer serving on the Board, Almendros continues to help by creating the programs Honorees Ken and Marion Golen, WPS Past President Advisor Roger Lander, Maestro James Brooks-Bruzzese, for its events. WPS President Victoria Jolson, WPS Past President Advisor Marion Golen and Rochelle Koenig, and Honoree Raphael Almendros her husband, Ken Golen, were also recognized. She is a former Weston Philharmonic Society Board Member and Ken is a noted interior decorator. Together, the couple have worked with the Weston Philharmonic Society to create inviting and dynamic silent auction tables and to create a lovely ambience for its many events. Founded in 1997, the Weston Philharmonic Society is a pre-eminent arts and cultural organization in Weston. The officers are currently working with the City of Weston and Arts Council of Greater Weston to finalize the 2015-2016 Symphony Series schedule which includes a return of the popular “Opera to Broadway” concert in February and the free Pops Concert at Weston Town Center in March. Both concerts feature the Symphony of the Americas. For more information on the Weston Philharmonic Society go to www.westonphilharmonic.org.

City Seeks Residents’ Input on Proposed Budget COMMUNITY NEWS

By Stacey Bomser

eston residents will have their chance to weigh in on the City’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2016. Public participation is welcome and encouraged at two budget hearings this month to discuss the proposed budgets for the City of Weston, the Indian Trace Development District, and the Bonaventure Development District. Residents can participate in the budget process in a variety of ways. Homeowners can contact a member(s) of the City Commission, voice their opinions in writing or email, and/or voice their view/opinion at the public hearings. The public has the opportunity to place comments on the record and have their questions answered by the Commission and/or staff. There will likely be little opposition to the proposed budget as it is based on an ad valorem millage rate of 2.3900 mils, which is the same rate as last year. With the increase in property values in Weston, adopting the same millage rate will result in an increase in ad valorem revenues of $871,900. At 2.3900 mils, Weston has the lowest millage rate of all municipalities in Broward County. Prepare to be Even Better is the City’s theme for Fiscal Year 2016. In his budget message, City Manager John Flint expanded on this by stating, “Our strong financial discipline and our tradition of long range planning have built a foundation which has proven to be resilient and upon which we can be even better.” Some of the highlights of the proposed budget include: ▸▸ Stability in the ad valorem millage rate for the next two years ▸▸ No assessment increases in the Bonaventure Development District and Indian Trace Development District ▸▸ Public Safety and Fire services maintained at the current levels ▸▸ Arts, cultural and recreation programs maintained at the current levels ▸▸ Extensive park renovations including field renovations at Heron Park, Regional Park, and Tequesta Trace Park, concrete walkways at Country Isles Park and Indian Trace Park, and replacement of playground equipment at Emerald Estates Park The budget hearings are the culmination of many months of work. Weston’s

The proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2016 calls for replacing the playground equipment at Emerald Estates Park. Photo courtesy City of Weston.

budget procedure is an annual process that begins in March with a workshop and continues throughout the year until the budget is officially adopted in September. It includes extensive financial work, research, projections and discussion with all City departments. The City of Weston budget hearings will be held at 5:05pm on Friday, September 11th and at 7pm on Monday, September 21st at Weston City Hall, 17200 Royal Palm Boulevard. The meetings will also be broadcast live on your Weston cable channel and are viewable online at www.westonfl.org. To view the 2016 Proposed Budget go to http://www.westonfl.org/media/docs/budget/ FY2016_City_Manager_Proposed_Budget.pdf. © 2014 DD IP Holder LLC. All rights reserved. Price and participation may vary.

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SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

Chiropractic? Why Not? “A Doctor’s Confession to West Broward”

Dear Friend,

write one for a lesser amount for chiropractic. When you bring in this article (by 9/30/15) you will receive my entire new patient exam for $55. That’s with x-rays, biomechanical exam, history and consultation…the whole ball of wax. This exam could cost you $250 elsewhere. The law says that I must tell you THAT YOu OR AnY OTHeR peRSOn ReSpOnSIBLe FOR pAYMenT HAS THe RIgHT TO ReFuSe TO pAY, cAnceL pAYMenT, OR Be ReIMBuRSeD FOR TReATMenT, WHIcH IS peRFORMeD AS A ReSuLT OF AnD WITHIn 72 HOuRS OF ReSpOnDIng TO THe ADveRTISeMenT FOR DIScOunTeD, OR ReDuceD Fee FOR SeRvIce, eXAMInATIOn, OR TReATMenT.

want to give credit where credit is due. So, perhaps a confession can help clear the air so there’s no misunderstanding. Before I talk about my confession, though, let me say a few other things first. Let me start by explaining the photo in this letter. You know, when I meet people in town they usually say, “Oh, yeah, I know you, you’re Dr. Rick. I’ve seen your ad with that picture of you and your family.” Well, I’m the guy on the left. Twenty-five years ago something happened to me that changed my life forever. I was a junior in high school and I started getting migraines. I had suffered from intense headaches since childhood. Over the years, I consulted many medical doctors, and specialists. I went through all kinds of tests, MRIs, and treatments. I tried every drug in the market; our medicine cabinet looked like a hospital’s infirmary. And still, nothing helped. But there’s more… A friend of mine convinced me to give a chiropractor a try. The chiropractor examined me, took X-rays, and then “adjusted” my spine. The adjustment did not hurt; it actually felt good. And guess what…I started feeling so much better! From daily migraines, I went down to three a week, and then to once in a great while. That’s when I realized that I wanted to become a chiropractor and help others. That’s how it happened! It’s strange how life is, because now people come to see me with their migraines. They also come to me with their chronic pain, neck pain, shoulder/arm pain, whiplash from car accidents, backaches, ear infections, asthma, allergies, numbness in limbs, athletic injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, just to name a few. Here’s what some of my patients had to say: “Due to an auto accident, I suffered from severe neck pain, vertigo and I could not raise my arm to comb my hair. Now I am symptom free with no medication and I can do everything I could not do before.” – E. Heaney, Hollywood, FL “Thanks to the DRX 9000 and the doctors, I no longer have chronic sciatic pain. It’s been a long time since I have taken pain medication.” – J. Walker, Miramar

Several times a day patients thank me for helping them with their health problems. But I can’t really take the credit. My confession is that I’ve never healed anyone of anything. What I do is perform a specific spinal adjustment to remove nerve pressure, and the body responds by healing itself. We get tremendous results. It’s as simple as that! Forty-five million Americans no longer have health insurance, and those who do have found that their benefits have been greatly reduced. That’s where chiropractic comes in. I have a significantly lower fee plan so that more people are able to afford the care they need. An entire week of care in my office costs what you could pay for one visit elsewhere. Another way to save…studies show that chiropractic can double your immune capacity, naturally and without drugs. The immune system fights colds, the flu, and other ailments. So you may not be running off to the doctor as much. Studies show that people actually pay less for their long-term overall health care expenses if they are seeing a chiropractor. You benefit from an amazing offer. Look, it shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg to correct your health. You are going to write a check to someone for your health care expenses, you may as well

great care at a great fee…please, I hope that there’s no misunderstanding about quality of care just because I have a lower exam fee. You’ll get great care at a great fee. My qualifications…I’m a graduate of Life college and have been practicing for over 10 years. I’ve been entrusted to take care of tiny babies to pro athletes that you may know. I am constantly going to seminars and updating my knowledge so I can give my patients the latest information and techniques of my profession. My assistants are Annie and Melissa – really great people. Our office is both friendly and warm and we try our best to make you feel at home. We have a wonderful service, at an exceptional fee. Our office is called Windmill Health center and it’s at 17160 Royal palm Blvd., Suite 1 in the Windmill professional plaza. Our phone number is 954-217-4881. call Melissa or Annie for an appointment. We can help you. Thank you. For more information regarding our services please visit our website www.WindmillHealthcenter.com. If you would like to email us with your questions, you may reach us at WindmillHealth@ att.net – Rick Behar, D.C. P.S. I am also offering the second family member for only $47. p.p.S. Your time is as valuable as mine. That’s why I have a no-wait policy. You will be seen within minutes of your appointment.

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The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or be reimbursed for payment for any other service, examination, or treatment that is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted fee, or reduced fee service, examination, or treatment.

Weston Reduces Building Permit Fees Community News

By Stacey Bomser

ood news Weston residents. The cost of renovating your house, or adding a pool or storm shutters, has gone down as a result of the City of Weston reducing its building permit fees. In some instances, homeowners could save more than $1000. Reducing the fees for building permits is just one more example of how city leaders are continually working in residents’ best interest when negotiating contracts for city services. The City of Weston contracts with C.A.P. Government, Inc. for building and permitting services. That contract was renewed this past July. As part of the contract negotiation process, the City sought to lower the fees residents pay. “Prior to the expiration of the contract, and in preparation of a new Request for Proposals for a new contract, Weston took into account the permit activity for the past five years, including the concerns expressed by residents and businesses over that same period,” explains City Manager John Flint. “The result of competition through Weston’s Request for Proposals process yielded significant savings for building permit applicants.” Under the new contract with C.A.P. Government, the building permit fees for non-structures have been reduced significantly. The previous cost of a permit for single-family residential pool, spa or hot tub was $2,261; it is now only $800. Permits for residential hurricane shutters are now $85; it used to cost $223. Fees have also been slashed for projects such as new air conditioning units, water heaters and residential fences. “In addition, the base permit fee for all other building permits is reduced to $85 per structure per trade, plus the value of construction, from $223,” adds out Mr. Flint. He points out that acquisition of a building permit prior to starting work is required by Florida law. “Having a building permit assures a resident or business owner that 1) the plans have been reviewed for compliance with the zoning and building codes, and 2) the construction is performed in accordance with the approved plans.” Building permits are required for renovation and construction projects including adding a pool, storm shutters, windows, air-conditioners, alarm systems, electrical and plumbing work. Work without a building permit is subject to a penalty of double the required permit fee. In Weston, permits are handled by the Building Code Services Department. In addition to the issuance of building permits, its services include building plan

Why Building Permits Are Required

Whether you are replacing your roof, renovating the kitchen, or simply installing a new water heater, a building permit is required by law. In addition, a building permit also protects you and your property value. Here is an explanation of why you should always secure a building permit before beginning any home improvement project. It’s the Law Building permits are required by the Florida Building Code. Work on a building or any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system before or without the necessary permit(s) is subject to a penalty of 100% of the required permit fees, in addition to the required permit fees. Non-payment of the fees can result in a requirement that the improvements be removed. Be wary if a tradesperson suggests you don’t need a permit. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure work requiring a permit has one.

Improves Safety The building permit allows code officials to reduce potential hazards of unsafe construction. By following code guidelines, your completed project will meet minimum standards of safety, ensuring that your

SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

review, inspections during construction, issuance of Certificates of Occupancy and Certificates of Use, and building code enforcement. The Building Code Services department, along with the Code Enforcement Services, is now located in the new Administrative Services Center located at 17250 Royal Palm Boulevard. It is the three-story building that sits on the campus of Weston City Hall, the Weston Police Services Center, and Fire Station No. 81. Weston’s Building Code Services department is open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5:30pm and Friday from 8am to 3pm. For more information call (954) 385-0500. To download a building permit application and information packet, visit www.westonfl.org/Departments/BuildingCodeServices/ BuildingCodeServicesHome.aspx.

home will be safe for your family and future homeowners. Mandatory inspections complement the contractor’s expertise and act as a system of checks and balances resulting in a safer project. Helps Protect Property Values Your home is an investment. If your construction project does not comply with city codes, the value of your investment could be reduced. Makes Selling Property Easier When a property is sold through a multiple listing association, the homeowner is required to disclose any improvements or repairs made and whether permits and inspections were obtained. Many financial institutions will not finance a purchase without proof of a final inspection. The real estate value will not consider work that was completed without a permit. Permits are particularly important if you are adding to your home. If you decide to sell a home that had modifications made without a permit, you may be required to tear down the addition or do costly repairs. Saves Money Property insurers may not cover work or damages caused by work done without permits and inspections. If you have any questions or concerns about building permits, contact the Weston Building Service department at 954-385-0500.

THE DONOWAY CENTER FOR CANCER TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

Robert B. Donoway, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.S.S.O. Surgical Oncology & Breast Surgical Oncology

Practice Specializing in Cancer of Breast, Pancreas, Liver, GI Tract, Melanoma, Sarcoma, Thyroid and Parathyroid, Cancer Prevention and Risk Assessment, Surgical Oncology, Breast Surgical Oncology, Endocrine, and Laparoscopic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Image Guided Tour Surgery, Genetic Cancer Counseling. New hope for patients with Liver and Pancreatic Cancer offering Electroporation for Non-resectable tumors. see www.atlasoncology.com

Dr. Donoway is a board certified Fellowship-trained Surgical Oncologist who received his MD and Surgical training at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed his fellowship in Surgical Oncology at Sloan-Kettering where he was the General Motors Cancer Research Fellow. He has taught on the faculty at Penn, Sloan-Kettering, University of Miami and Nova Southeastern. Dr. Donoway is the former Medical Director of the Memorial Cancer Institute and Chairman of the Cancer Committee for the Memorial Healthcare System as well as Chief of Surgery and Surgical Oncology at Memorial Regional in Hollywood. Dr. Donoway serves on the Board of the American Cancer Society & Gildas Club. He has also served as past President of the American Cancer Society Broward County Chapter. Dr. Donoway is active in the Society of Surgical Oncology and the American Society of Breast Surgeons. His accomplishments include being the first Surgeon in Florida to perform Radio-guided Sentinel Lymph Node mapping in Breast Cancer, Liver Cryo-surgery and Radio Frequency Ablation as well as Laparoscopic Liver Resection. Dr. Donoway is a recent recipient of the South Florida Health Award for the use of Micro-Endoscopy for the detection of early stage Breast Cancer. Dr. DonoROBERT ROBE RT T B. B DONO DONOW DONOWA W AY A YY ROBER RT B. DONOWAY DONOWA WA W A way is the Medical Director of the Institute of Breast Cancer Prevention and Diplomate American Board of Surgery has been repeatedly named to “TOP DOCTORS IN AMERICA” by Castle Diplomate, Society of Surgical Oncology Connolly. Dr. Donoway is the former Chair of the Aventura Cancer CommitFormer Medical Director Memorial Cancer Center tee. Dr. Donoway has privileges and operates at Aventura Hospital, Memorial Medical Director of Regional, Memorial South, Memorial West and Hallandale Outpatient Institute for Breast Cancer Prevention Surgery Center.

4000 Hollywood Boulevard • Suite 160 • Hollywood, FL 33021 21110 Biscayne Boulevard • Suite 201 • Aventura, FL 33180 Phone: 954.986.6366 • 305.682.4993 • Fax: 954.986.4355 www.TheDonowayCenter.com www.atlasoncology.com

JAFCO Spirit of Life Luncheon Honors Founders Community news

By Stacey Bomser

his year’s Michelle Goldstein Spirit of Life Luncheon will honor two women Gober, who founded the Weston Chapter over 15 years ago, knows first-hand who made this event and the Weston/West Broward Chapter of JAFCO how JAFCO has helped save lives. She shares the story of a woman who, after (Jewish Adoption and Family attending a JAFCO event, conCare Options) a reality. The luntacted the agency with dire cheon, which is the Weston chapinformation about a little girl ter’s largest fundraiser, will take who was being abused. JAFCO place on Wednesday, October 21st stepped in and was able to save at Weston Hills Country Club. her life. “JAFCO Chapters are not The Spirit of Life Luncheon just about fundraising, they also is named in honor of Michelle inform people about where to turn Goldstein, a young woman whose when children need help,” notes life was tragically ended during Gober. the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The The Spirit of Life Luncheon will event was created to celebrate her feature a vendor boutique starting life and love of children; she had at 10am, with silent auction and been an ardent JAFCO supporter. raffle, followed by a plated lunch This year’s luncheon chairs, and JAFCO godparent pinning Chapter President Beth Salamone ceremony. More than 100 Weston and Vice President Lyssa Flayman, chapter members have generMara Gober, JAFCO Weston/ Ingrid Jaffe (left), Michelle Goldstein Spirit of Life have a deep respect for preservously joined the JAFCO Godparent West Broward founding Luncheon founder, helps JAFCO Executive Director Sarah Chapter President Franco light a candle during last year’s luncheon. ing Goldstein’s legacy, as well Circle, pledging $1800 each year as the life-saving work of JAFCO. for ten years to help save the lives During the luncheon, they will honor two women who have been instrumental in of JAFCO children. the growth and support of JAFCO: Mara Gober, Weston/West Broward founding Luncheon tickets are $75 per person. Proceeds benefit JAFCO, which serves Chapter President, and Ingrid Jaffe, Goldstein’s mother and Spirit of Life Luncheon abused and neglected children and those with developmental disabilities in South founder. Both women will be recognized for their years of extraordinary work in Florida. raising awareness, while helping to provide for the love and care of children in For more information on the 13th annual Michelle Goldstein Spirit need. of Life Luncheon, visit www.jafco.org and click on “Events” or JAFCO Executive Director Sarah Franco says Mara and Ingrid are both incredcontact JAFCO Director of Development Operations Shelli Gold at ible women. “Their commitment to protect and nurture abused and neglected chil(954) 315-8671 or email shelli@jafco.org. Our City Weston is proud dren in our community is an inspiration and we couldn’t do all we do without them.” to be a sponsor of this event.

Community Invited to College Counseling Seminar at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church By Stacey Bomser

he college application and admissions process can be quite confusing and challenging for many students and their parents. The Women of Faith Ministry at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church is aiming to answer questions and ease concerns with its Road Map to College seminar. The free program is open to all high school juniors and seniors and their parents. “College planning is a very exciting yet stressful process for many families,” states Narcy Ascuntar, vice president of the Women of Faith Ministry and director of outreach ministry. “Our local high schools have very large graduating classes making it difficult, at times, to afford every student with one-to-one expert guidance. Therefore, we thought it would be great for our local high school students to have the opportunity to attend a college information/planning session where they could learn how to prepare for the challenging undertaking of applying for college and ask specific questions about their current college direction and selections.” The Women of Faith Ministry has invited Laura Brancheau, director of college counseling at Archbishop McCarthy High School, to speak. She has been a college counselor for 15 years and is a member of the National Association of College Admissions Counseling. She has relationships with admissions representatives at

SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

colleges throughout the country and attends professional development seminars and individual college information sessions to stay abreast of the requirements of various colleges and universities. Mrs. Brancheau plans to address several topics during the seminar. She will present a timeline for juniors and seniors to help keep students on track. She will discuss college applications, including timing and pertinent information to be included, as well as college essay writing tips and how to draft a resume. Other topics Mrs. Brancheau plans to touch on include transcripts, SAT/ACT testing, teacher recommendations, and the importance of college visits. She will also address scholarships and financial aid opportunities. Mrs. Brancheau says research is a critical component of the college application process. “Students should do a thorough college search and choose three colleges that they are sure they can get into, three colleges that are a good fit, but provide a little more challenge for admission, and perhaps one to three that are reach schools.” Regardless of which schools a student applies to, she stresses students must meet all application deadlines. In addition, Mrs. Brancheau says parents can help support their student by “supporting their decision-making process, taking them to visit campuses, and dialoging with them on realistic issues, such as cost, distance, and making the final choice.” Road Map to College presented by the St. Katharine Drexel Women of Faith Ministry is open to the Weston community. Attendees should bring a notebook and a desire to learn about the college search and application process. The free seminar takes place on Saturday, September 26th from 9-11am at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, 2501 South Post Road. For more information or to register for this event, please email skdwomenoffaith@gmail.com.

We are pleased to announce that Linda Saginario has joined the Holly & Bob Catania Real Estate Group at the Keyes Company. Linda was formerly with Coldwell Banker. Linda is a Broker-Associate, and is certified as ABR, CRS and GRI. Linda can be reached at 954.632.9973

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Weston University Now Accepting Applications for Class of 2016 Community News

By Stacey Bomser

nrollment is now open for Weston University. The oneof-a-kind program provides a unique civic education to high school students. Over the course of the school year, students will spend time interacting with city leaders and participating in hands-on activities while exploring the various departments and agencies that make up our local government. Weston University was the brainchild of City Manager John Flint and its curriculum was developed by Denise Barrett-Miller, Director of Communications for the City of Weston. “The program is designed with multiple goals but ultimately the main objectives we want students to leave with are an understanding of local government and the complexities of providing public services. High school is the perfect age The Weston U group was honored to meet where learning that being involved Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman in your community is essential to Schultz on the steps of the Capitol during their day-trip to Washington good government and quality of life. DC. Photos courtesy City of Weston. We ultimately expose students to a variety of career paths in both public and private service that they might not have otherwise experienced,” explains Barrett-Miller.

The program is open to Weston students attending Cypress Bay High School, The Sagemont School, Western High School, as well as homeschooled students with transportation to City Hall. The class size is limited to about 20 students and Barrett-Miller says preference is usually given to juniors and seniors, but sophomores can apply. Weston University students visited the BSO Tactical Training Facility on Police Services Day. All interested students must submit an essay entitled “Why Communities Need Leaders.” Application information for the Weston University Class of 2016 can be obtained at each school. Cypress Bay students should contact Social Studies Department Chair Scott Selvidge, Sagemont students should contact Principal Gayle Iacono, and Western High School students should contact Advisor Virginia Engestrom. Each school has its own deadline and selections will be made by mid-to-late September. Students chosen for the Weston University program must commit to spending one school day each month with City staff. Program days are made up of instruction, conversations, observations and hands-on activities exposing students to the numerous City services and functions provided to Weston residents. The program culminates with a mock City Commission meeting in which students play the roles of city leaders and residents to carry out the agenda. The program may also include an out-of-town field trip. Last year’s class took a one-day trip to Washington DC. For more information visit www.westonfl.org and click on Weston University under the Department of Communications’ programs.

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Seven Weston Athletes Compete for Team USA in European Maccabi Games Community News

By Stacey Bomser

n August, the David Posnack JCC in Davie hosted the JCC Maccabi Games/ ArtsFest, welcoming over 1200 athletes and artists from around the world. At almost the same time, seven Weston athletes were in Berlin competing for Team USA in the European Maccabi Games. Harrison Amberg and Michael Egozi played on the Men’s Youth Basketball team, while Ross Udine played on the Men’s Open Basketball team. Jake Fuhrman and Ilan Naibryf played on the Men’s Youth Soccer team. Tomas Tussie played on the Water Polo team and Gerald Lesnick was a member of the Master’s Bridge team. Jake Fuhrman, a senior at Cypress Bay High School, describes the Maccabi Games as basically the Jewish Olympics. “Thousands of Jewish athletes from all over the world competed in dozens of sports representing their countries.” He says one of the highlights of the games was walking with Team USA into the Olympic Park in Berlin for the Opening Ceremonies. Ross Udine, a Cypress Bay graduate and current sophomore at New York University, agrees. “I wanted to compete in Germany because I thought it was a huge honor to be able to go back to Berlin and play where the Jewish Ross Udine played for the Men’s Open division.

people were banned from competing years ago.” Both athletes say some of their fondest memories from the Maccabi Games are of meeting fellow athletes from around the world and learning about their countries and how life is different there. “It was fun bonding and having friendly banter with kids who you were battling intensely on the field hours earlier,” notes Jake. He says the memories that will stick with him are “the little moments just hanging around the hotel with the other athletes, just listening to music and talking or having intense rap battles. On the field, the best moment for sure was beating Germany, the eventual champions, with a last minute goal and celebrating with my teammates.” According to Jake, the Team USA Fuhrman and Ilan Naibryf represented Men’s Youth Soccer team placed fourth, Jake the USA Maccabi Men’s Youth Soccer team. losing in the Bronze medal game. Ross says the Men’s Open Basketball team won the Silver medal. The Weston athletes were among more than 2,000 athletes, coaches and counselors from 36 countries who competed in this year’s European Maccabi Games. This included 150 athletes representing Team USA in 16 sports at the adult, youth and masters levels. The European Maccabi Games are affiliated with the World Maccabiah Games, which take place in Israel every four years. The next Games will be in 2017.

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SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

By Daniel J. Stermer, Mayor, City of Weston

elcome to September and the anticipation of autumn on the horizon. I would like to remind residents to be extra attentive when driving in school zones now that students are back in class, as well as watch for cyclists and joggers in our bike lanes. Each September, the City Commission considers and votes on the proposed budgets for the City of Weston, the Bonaventure Development District and the Indian Trace Development District. Public Hearings, which are open to the public with your input encouraged, will be held on September 11, 2015 at 5:05 p.m. and September 21, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. The meetings are at Weston City Hall. The proposed budgets are available for viewing on the City website at www.westonfl.org. The budget proposes to maintain the current millage rate of 2.3900. If adopted, the City will continue to have the lowest millage rate in Broward County. Residents can anticipate maintained service levels in all departments, numerous park improvement projects, and the enjoyment of the same quality of life expected from a premier city. The recently completed Administrative Services Center, located at 17250 Royal Palm Boulevard right next to City Hall, is now open. Building Code Services, Code Enforcement, Fire Code Services and Information Technology are all housed at this convenient location. Excellent news for residents is that permit fees for non-structures have been significantly reduced. These include permits for items such as pools, storm shutters, air conditioning units, hot water heaters, windows, electrical and plumbing work. Our most popular services provided in Weston, Park & Recreation programming, are coming up soon. Beginning in October, the Parks Department, with the coordination and assistance of the Weston Arts Council, will present a significant Performing Arts Series, which includes free monthly Movies in the Park, puppet and magic shows, professional theater for children, concerts, Winter Safety Expo, Celebrate the Arts, and much more! Residents will receive a Recreation brochure in the mail with event as well as Community Center class information. Stay up-todate on events and happenings in Weston. Sign Celebrate the Arts Day is one of many exciting programs being planned for Weston residents. up to receive our weekly online newsletter, Newsday Tuesday, emailed to you each week. Register under E-Notifications on the Weston website homepage. Please be mindful that until November we are still in hurricane season and I encourage you to continue to be vigilant and prepared for a weather emergency. Until next time… Mayor Stermer can be contacted via email at dstermer@ westonfl.org or (954) 385-2000.

Burton Danoff MD F.A.C.O.G. Eileen Danoff, ARNP

Recap of the 2015 Legislative Session and Special Session

his month, members of the Florida House and Senate will gather for committee meetings as we prepare for the 2016 Legislative Session, which begins in January. The Florida Legislature concluded its regular session on May 1st without a state budget. House and Senate leadership differed significantly on an approach to reimbursing health care providers for uncompensated care and questions surrounding the amount of federal money available for this purpose precluded a balanced budget compromise. The Legislature’s presiding officers issued a call for a 20-day special session which began June 1st. A $78.7 billion state budget was passed by both chambers on June 19th. There were 227 general and local bills passed by both chambers during regular session. The governor signed 220 of those bills into law — he vetoed seven bills. Among the bills passed by both chambers during regular session, I believe there were important advances in state policy. ▸▸ HB 7069 eliminates a number of high-stakes tests required of our school children and returned to school districts the authority to reduce burdensome testing further. ▸▸ SB 982 makes it illegal to discriminate in employment and public accommodations on the basis of pregnancy. ▸▸ SB 378 expands the successful, effective juvenile civil citation system. ▸▸ SB 228 allows online voter registration beginning in 2017. ▸▸ HB 7013 expands programs to encourage adoption and foster care as well as striking from state law an obsolete provision banning adoption by homosexuals. In special session, the Legislature passed eleven bills, all related to the state budget, its implementation and conforming bills to direct spending. The governor signed those bills, exercising his line-item veto authority on the appropriations bill. As usual, the substantive issues debated by the Legislature were largely mirrored in the spending plan lawmakers build. Important issues of education, the environment, and health care were translated into dollars and cents within the $78.7 billion budget passed by both House and Senate on June 19th. In addition to larger policy issues, members and delegations also worked during budget conference negotiations on behalf of projects and programs within their districts and areas. The 2015-16 budget that went into effect on July 1st included $1 billion more than the year before. Highlights of this year’s Florida budget, as passed by the Legislature, include: ▸▸ $32.9 billion on Health and Human Services ▸▸ $19.7 billion for public schools operating funds, a 4 percent increase ▸▸ $9.3 billion to fully fund the Department of Transportation Work Program ▸▸ $1.5 billion for the Department of Environmental Protection The governor signed the budget on June 23rd, using his line-item veto authority to eliminate $461 million in spending, including many projects sponsored by members of both parties. When I return to Tallahassee later this month to begin preparing for the 2016 session, I will continue to fight for those programs that will benefit all Floridians. State Representative Richard Stark (D-Weston) represents House District 104 which includes all of Weston. You can reach Rep. Stark at Richard.Stark@myfloridahouse.gov or by calling his legislative office at (954) 217-0287.

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s we send the kids back to school – Yay! (Oh, did I say that out loud?) -- and life falls back into a routine, many people find themselves planning the balance of the year. Before we know it the holidays will be upon us and yet another year over. Many of my friends, neighbors and clients are asking me what’s happening in the market. They see conflicting news stories about what’s going on in the housing market. Remember, real estate is local and what happens across the country or county may not be what’s happening here in Weston. So, I will attempt to cover this and much more in this month’s update. Prices across the board have continued to climb, albeit not as rapidly as we had seen last year. There are currently 349 single-family homes and 172 condo/townhouses available for sale here in Weston. So far this year, 481 single family homes and 235 condo/townhomes have sold and closed with a medium closed price of $425,000. We have experienced a 13% appreciation year over year with normal appreciation around 4%-7% annually. The number of available homes for sale in Weston has steadily increased and currently there are 4.5 months’ worth of available inventory. This then begs the question: will home prices continue to climb? No one knows for sure but the anticipation is that it will begin to slow for many reasons including the high probability of mortgage rates increasing.

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Interest rates for 30-year, fixed mortgages are currently around 4.25%4.5% and have already begun their decent from their historic lows of the past few years and will likely continue to rise this year. Forecasters predict interest rates will land somewhere in the low to mid 5% range. That’s still comparatively very low, but well above the rates we have seen in the recent past. This of course affects home buyers and sellers alike. A small half a percent increase in interest rate reduces a buyer’s buying power by about 10%. So, if a home buyer was in the market to purchase a home and was qualified for a maximum of $500,000 with an interest rate of 4.5%, when interest rates go up just a half of 1% to 5% that same buyer could now only qualify for a maximum of $450,000. As always, I strive to keep you well informed on what is actually happening in our local Weston real estate market. Miverva Strum is a broker with The Keyes Company. She has worked in the real estate industry for 17 years. Some of her many designations include graduate of the Realtor Institute (considered the nation’s number one real estate designation as the standard for professional realtors), Seller Representative Specialist, Certified Negotiation Expert, Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource Specialist, Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist, and Certified Distressed Property Real Estate Specialist. For more information call 754-366-3072.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Weston Paramedics Train for Flakka By Assistant District Fire Chief Bruce Angier

ccording to CNBC, flakka is more dangerous than cocaine and cheaper than a Big Mac. It causes people to act erratically, uncontrollably, and dangerously. Flakka, also known as “gravel,” is the new designer drug sweeping Broward County. According to a recent report by Reuters News Service, there were 190 flakka incidents in Broward County in 2014. Between just January and May of this year, there have been 275 incidents; 27 people have died in Broward County during the same time period. Although more common in our county’s impoverished neighborhoods, there have been at least two cases in Weston as of this writing. To help prepare Weston’s emergency responders to safely handle flakka incidents, all BSO firefighters, paramedics, and EMT’s assigned to the Weston District recently underwent additional training specific to flakka patients. It covered how to identify patients who may be on the dangerous drug, advanced life support measures (including drug therapy) specific to the flakka patient, as well as techniques to safely transport patients who are on flakka. Being a relatively new drug, many people are unaware of flakka and what it does. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions: Q. What is Flakka? A. Flakka is a potent, highly addictive stimulant drug. In a small amount the drug provides euphoria, stimulation, and hallucinations. However, just a little bit more can trigger heart problems, agitation, aggressiveness, psychosis, paranoia and excited delirium. Flakka is a more potent form of what was previously known as “bath salts.” Q. What does Flakka look like? A. It is similar in appearance to rock candy. It is crystalline like bath salts and crystal meth. Q. How is Flakka purchased? A. It is sold on the streets and the internet in quantities as small as 1/10th of a gram for $4-$5. It is marketed to the homeless and also as a party drug, like “molly”. Young and poorer populations are targeted as customers. Q. How is it used? A. Flakka is being consumed various ways including smoking, injection and snorting. It also is being put into vapes, or e-cigarettes, as a way to hide the obvious drug use. Q. How does the body react to Flakka? A. Excited delirium, characterized by hyperthermia, where the body temperature increases to more than 105 degrees, and paranoia causes users to run wild. Flakka can cause individuals to believe that they are being chased or are on fire, causing them to act violently with adrenaline-heightened strength, sometimes requiring four to five law enforcement officers to restrain them. Once restrained, immediate emergency medical attention is required. Q. What should I do if I see someone who is experiencing excited delirium? A. Call 9-1-1 immediately. Under Florida law, anyone calling in a medical emergency cannot be charged for drug possession. Flakka incidents are keeping firefighters and paramedics very busy throughout Broward County. If you suspect someone is on flakka, call 9-1-1 immediately. Only through community awareness and involvement along with the combined effort of all of Weston’s emergency services can we minimize the impact of flakka in our community. The Broward County Sheriff has set up a flakka information hotline at 954-375-6237 for questions about the use, abuse or treatment of flakka. For more information, please Assistant District Fire Chief Bruce Angier at Fire Station 67 at (954) 389-2089 or by email at Bruce_Angier@sheriff.org.

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Weston BSO Offers Tips to Protect Your Property Community News

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s Weston residents, we live in one of the safest cities in Florida. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, from 2013 to 2014 the crime index in Weston decreased 20.7 percent. Almost half of the reported crimes were either burglary, larceny or robbery. BSO Deputy Kari Pallotto, crime prevention practitioner for the Weston district, says with residents’ diligence and assistance, Weston BSO can continue to reduce the number of crimes committed in our community. “Burglars want to avoid confrontation and witnesses. Burglars are also camera shy. Cameras posted around the perimeter of the home are a turn off for burglars,” explains Deputy Pallotto. “Make your home uninviting. If they do select your home, a good alarm system will be your second line of defense.” Of course, the alarm is only effective if you use it. Deputy Pallotto says it’s important to use the security system even if you live in gated community. She also suggests beefing up an existing alarm system, adding motion sensors and glass breakage detectors near all sliding glass doors. “Consider installing pry guards for door locks. Impact glass is good to have, but expensive. Consider limited installation on the rear sliders or window,” notes Deputy Pallotto. “Point of entry for the majority of burglaries occur from the rear of the house, out of sight of neighbors.”

To protect your personal property, Deputy Pallotto recommends a concealed wall safe. “Burglars today are rarely taking electronics except for young juveniles. Burglars are targeting cash, jewelry, guns and high end accessories.” Weston BSO encourages residents to pay attention when entering through guard gates. “If you are followed into your gated community, call security or the police and inform them that you were tailgated and provide a description of the vehicle,” states Deputy Pallotto. Being aware of your surroundings is crucial. Deputy Pallotto encourages neighbors to look out for suspicious activity, especially when families on your block may be out of town. “If you are traveling, leave a car in the driveway, have a neighbor pick up your mail and newspaper every day, and arrange to have a neighbor pick up packages left at your door.” Weston residents can also take advantage of BSO’s free Home Watch program. By simply signing up for Home Watch, a BSO deputy, community service aid, or C.O.P. (Citizen Observer Patrol) volunteer will drive by your house while you are away and perform a daily perimeter check for signs of break-in or suspicious activity. To register for this free service, simply download the Home Watch form from the BSO website (www.sheriff.org/homewatch) and submit the com-

pleted form to the Weston Police Services Building located at 17300 Royal Palm Boulevard. There have been a number of vehicle break-ins in Weston this summer. Over 55% of car burglaries in Weston occur to unlocked vehicles. Deputy Pallotto reminds residents to be sure to lock your car doors and do not leave anything of value in plain sight. For more information on crime prevention and education programs offered by Weston BSO please contact 954-389-2030.

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ongratulations to Weston Explorer Post and I could not be happier and more excited about their recent success. I have always told 44 for winning four awards, including the Explorers, if they work hard, make new two first place trophies, at the 2015 friends, learn something new and have fun, Florida Sheriff’s Explorer Association (FSEA) success will always follow.” Competition. The Explorers program provides teens The Broward Sheriff’s Office hosted the and young adults, ages 14 to 21, with a wide annual conference and competition, which variety of training including patrol procedrew more than 300 law enforcement dures, traffic stops, report writing, Florida Explorers from 20 Florida counties and 32 law and arrest procedures, and self-defense. posts. Explorers competed in a Physical In addition to laws and police procedures, Assessment Test and the following categories: Explorers learn the role law enforcement firearms, unknown risk traffic stops, crime plays in the community. Post 44 volunteers scene investigations, officer down, domestic at many Weston events including the annual violence, in-progress calls, and building Rotary Run For Tomorrow and Relay For Life. searches. Explorers also help the Broward Sheriff’s Weston Explorer Post 44 took first place Office with community outreach, including in the Team Shooting Competition, out participation in the annual Weston Winter of approximately 150 individual shooters, Safety Expo. and first place in the Team Amazing Race The BSO Law Enforcement Explorers Competition. The Explorers also won second Weston Explorer Post 44 Competition Team: Sara Evans (front row, left), Brandon Dawson, Zoey Ferguson, Jacob Torner, and program allows participants the unique place in the Building Search scenario and Jake Scheiner (back row, left), Victor Yepez, Ryan Richmond, opportunity to learn and experience lawful third place in the In-Progress scenario. Michael Carabine, Jonathan Nudelman, and Michelle Marcet. citizenship as they work alongside deputies Crime Prevention Specialist Deputy Kevin in on-going training and community service projects. The program emphasizes Maccagli runs the Weston Explorer program with support from Deputy Lynn responsibility, leadership, teamwork and self-reliance. Weston is one of eight Gariboldi, school resource officer at Tequesta Trace Middle School. The group Broward municipalities to offer an Explorers program. meets every Thursday night at the school to learn the basic skills of law enforcement and practice various policing scenarios to prepare for competitions. For detailed information on the Explorers program or to download an Deputy Maccagli says he is extremely proud of his Post’s results from the FSEA application visit www.sheriff.org/about_bso/dle/explorers/index.cfm. competition. “The Explorers have worked very hard over the past several years

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INSPIRING INDIVIDUAL

Weston Entrepreneur Recognized as Hispanic Woman of Distinction By Stacey Bomser

the gap of communication among diverse cultures. We eston’s Andreina Ojeda has been named one have worked together since she was a teenager to make of the 2015 Hispanic Women of Distinction. The this beautiful project a reality.” award pays tribute to Latina professionals like The Hispanic Women of Distinction Award is just one Ojeda, founder and president of Lingua Language Center, of many accolades bestowed upon Ojeda. Her company who have contributed to our community, while maintaining received a 2015 Business Excellence Award as “Best their Hispanic heritage. Language School in Florida.” On a personal level, she Ojeda says it was an honor to have been selected received recognition from Mujeres Latinas Impulsando from the pool of more than 70 nominees and accepts Mujeres Latinas as a Voluntary Service Donor for providthe responsibility of being a role model to other Latinas. ing guidance through the process of integration to the “Hispanic women in the U.S. represent the largest minority community and recognition from the Weston Community group in the country and a driving force in all facets of life. Center for her volunteer work to assist immigrant residents With our understanding of diversity and capacity for cross overcome the language barrier. cultural communication, we can make a difference in the “Being a Hispanic woman and speaker of English as a understanding and acceptance of the cultural differences second language has made me living proof that minorities among the diverse groups that comprise our society.” can succeed professionally,” notes Ojeda. “I have availed She credits her mother and grandmother for setting an myself of my professional circumstances to assist many example. “I, myself, am the product of looking up to role immigrants achieve their professional goals through the model Hispanic women, beginning with my mother, Ana understanding of the American culture and many different Ojeda, who devoted her professional life to serving the cultures.” community as a social worker, and my grandmother, Nery A Venezuelan-born entrepreneur with a passion for Russo, who is a journalist, writer, artist, music composer, Andreina Ojeda was named one of the languages, Ojeda founded the Lingua School in Weston and most noteworthy, an acclaimed representative of the 2015 Hispanic Women of Distinction. in 1998. Her bachelor’s degree in Modern Languages Venezuelan literature of the present time and a recipient of and master’s degree in International Studies provided numerous awards and recognitions. Having overcome so the foundation to open a business specializing in language training and translamany obstacles in her life – from poverty to domestic violence – she has inspired tion/interpretation services. In addition to the professional services offered at the me to be the businesswoman I am today and to help other Hispanic women Weston office, Ojeda has partnered with Broward College in the Lingua Language succeed.” Center at Broward College, providing diverse language training programs for This includes her own daughter, Johana Galavis, who is now President of Camp international and local students seeking to perfect their language skills for acaLingua, a subsidiary of Lingua School which provides language education for demic, professional or personal enhancement. children. “Johana has always been my inspiration in the endeavor of breaching

AAUW Weston Honors Founding President By Stacey Bomser

fter eight years, Dr. Kamala Anandam, the founder an annual conference on leadership for high school girls, and president of the Weston branch of the American has honored numerous women and girls during its annual Association of University Women (AAUW), is stepping celebration of International Women’s Day, and has organized down. She will be formally recognized during a luncheon on public forums on topics including human trafficking, teaching tolerance, bullying, and the gender pay gap. September 27th at Bonaventure Country Club. In addition to serving as President of AAUW Weston, Dr. AAUW’s mission is advancing equity for women and girls Anandam served as the Director for Program for AAUWthrough advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. Florida for four years during which she was responsible for That coincides with Dr. Anandam’s personal agenda. organizing the state’s conventions. She continues to serve on Spurred by the spirit of determination and persistence she AAUW’s Branch Program Research Committee, which helps gained from her mother, Dr. Anandam has worked tirelessly local branches utilize the available resources and helps the to promote the advancement of women and girls. national organization develop the resources its branches Born in India, she and her eight siblings were raised by need. a single mother, after her father passed away when she Other accolades include induction into Broward County’s was only six years old. Her mother, a fourth grade dropout, Women’s Hall of Fame and the Broward Senior Hall of Fame. was determined to fulfill her husband’s dream that all nine Dr. Anandam also received the Achievement Award from the children become college graduates. After attending colFlorida Commission on Status of Women and the Merit Award lege in India and teaching at Avinashilingam University, she from the Broward International Women’s Club. attended the University of Tennessee where she earned a Dr. Kamala Anandam is stepping down After stepping down as President of AAUW Weston, Dr. Master’s degree in Child Development and Doctoral degree as President of AAUW Weston. Anandam will be succeeded by Dr. Nichole Castater, an in Educational Psychology. Dr. Anandam worked in academia Associate Professor of Finance at Barry University. Dr. throughout her career. Anandam will be formally recognized during the annual membership meeting of After retiring to Weston in 1999, she sought to aid young girls in their pursuit the AW Foundation, the fundraising arm of AAUW Weston. of education by volunteering for the Listen to Children program in elementary “She is an extremely outstanding woman, and a pioneer for breaking barriers schools. Dr. Anandam later mentored high school girls through the Women of for women and girls. She adds much to our community,” stated Renee Smoley, AW Tomorrow mentoring and scholarship program. Foundation Chair. She also used this time to found a Weston branch of the American Association of University Women, an organization Dr. Anandam had been active in since 1995. To learn more about the American Association of University Women Weston Branch visit http://weston-fl.aauw.net/. Under her leadership over the past eight years, the Weston branch has conducted

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t’s no myth that exercise helps increase our body’s ability to live a longer life. Many people believe that in order to receive all of the benefits of exercise you need to start at a young age. While it’s to your benefit to begin exercising while young, there is no denying the importance and impact of exercise on a person’s well-being at any age, especially for seniors. It is common for seniors to believe there is no purpose in beginning or continuing to exercise as they age. I am here to tell you, there is a great purpose. Let me help clarify some of the myths associated with exercise and senior citizens, as well as give you some insight on the advantages physical activity can have on your body. ▸▸ I have too many hurdles to overcome. Consistent physical activity allows your body to decrease, or in some cases even eliminate, the risk of health conditions and illnesses which may lead to increased medication intake and frequent hospitalizations. While there are inevitable physical aspects that will occur beyond your control, there are things that you can improve such as your posture and weight. ▸▸ It’s too late for me. It is never too late to improve your health. Science has proven that elders who begin exercising in their later years show greater physical and mental improvements over the younger generation. ▸▸ What if I fall? The positive factors associated with physical fitness and seniors include the improvement of flexibility, endurance, strength and balance. As you build up your bones, your balance becomes increasingly more stable, which lessens your chances of falls and other injuries that unfortunately may occur often. ▸▸ I’m too tired to exercise. Exercise actually improves your ability to sleep and can provide you with more energy. ▸▸ There’s just too much for me to do. You may notice you are able to manage daily stress a lot better with a regular exercise routine. ▸▸ Everything hurts, I can’t exercise. To your advantage, many of the diseases associated with aging may be prevented simply from exercising. Start off with weight bearing exercises and slowly increase resistance. Walk a block and gradually increase your distance and your speed each day; consistency is key. If you suffer from wounds, it has been noted that with exercise, the wound-healing process speeds up. Consult with your doctor who can help you develop a personalized exercise plan that will fit your needs. Your doctor will most likely perform a physical examination on you and review your medications to be certain exercise has no effect on the medications you are taking. There is no excuse or boundary to physical fitness. Think of physical fitness as not just adding years to your life but adding life to your years. It is a good way to keep you motivated and ready to get moving. Dr. Mohsin Jaffer has been practicing family medicine in Broward County for nearly 30 years focusing on the care of seniors. His practice, Senior Medial Associates, has 12 locations throughout Broward County. You can find the Weston location off of Indian Trace and North Park Drive at 1495 North Park Drive. Contact Senior Medical Associates at (954) 659-9690 to schedule a complimentary Meet and Greet for you or your loved one.

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INspiring Individual

Weston Artist Finds Continued Success in Unconventional Art Form By Stacey Bomser

Graceful Envelope Contest and the third time she won an Honorable Mention. “I at Brooks’ whimsical artwork brings a smile to all who view it. That includes feel so honored that, out of hundreds of international entries, my envelope was recthe judges of the 2015 Graceful Envelope Contest, sponsored by the National ognized as a winner. You just never know when a piece will touch someone’s heart Association of Letter Carriers and the Washington Calligraphers Guild. – or funny bone – and they will enjoy viewing it as much as you enjoyed creating Brooks was one of this year’s Honorable Mention winners in the international the piece. It’s rewarding in every way.” competition. It was her third win in the Graceful Envelopment Contest, which asks Brooks, a self-taught cartoonist, says she artists to transform an ordinary envelope into a plans to enter the Graceful Envelope Contest work of art. again next year; she likes the challenge. “Artists, The 2015 theme, “There’s No Place Like generally, create their own themes. So, using Home,” challenged artists to create an envea specific theme on a very small surface (an lope to illustrate what home means to them and envelope no larger than 9” x 7”), incorporating a address it artistically. Winners were chosen calligraphy style to match the theme and accombased on hand lettering, creative interpretapanying art, and incorporating the postage into tion of the theme, and effective use of color and the piece is extremely challenging.” design, including incorporation of postage The winning envelopes are now on display stamp(s). in the lobby of the National Association of Letter Like last year, Brooks says she was inspired Carriers building in Washington, D.C., and by members of the military. “To me, the ‘There’s posted on the Washington Calligraphers Guild No Place Like Home’ theme inspired a picture of website (www.calligraphersguild.org). a soldier returning home from a long tour on forThe Graceful Envelope Contest was created eign lands where email and skyping/Facetime in 1995 by the Smithsonian Institution’s National may not have been available. All the soldier had Postal Museum. It is now administered by the was ‘snail’ mail from a young wife. That young Washington Calligraphers Guild and National wife was waiting, every day, by the mailbox Association of Letter Carriers. The prestigious to send a letter to her husband and, hopefully, contest celebrates the role of letters in binding receive a letter in return. In the final scene, they people together and serves as a reminder that both meet at the mailbox, letters in his duffle the people who deliver the mail are career govbag, hers in her hand, and they see each other ernment employees who take pride in their work – mail goes flying and she jumps into his arms. Pat Brooks’ 2015 Graceful Envelope Contest and care about the communities they serve. Life is happy once again thanks to the mail.” entry won Honorable Mention. This was the third time Brooks entered the

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INSPIRING INDIVIDUAL

Weston Musician Attends National Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Music Institute By Stacey Bomser

eston’s Taylor Shorey was one of 62 students selected to attend the National Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Music Institute. The four week program included intensive coaching and lessons with National Symphony Orchestra musicians and the opportunity to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Taylor, a Florida State University junior majoring in Bassoon Performance and Cypress Bay High School class of 2013 graduate, said it was an honor and privilege to have been accepted into this prestigious program. He was encouraged to apply by the National Symphony Orchestra’s principal bassoonist, Sue Heineman, following a private lesson last year. “Working with the National Symphony Orchestra was a lifechanging experience. Performing with such gifted musicians is great, but seeing how much passion they still have for the job they do and the music they play after doing it for so long was inspiring,” notes Taylor. “Playing in the Kennedy Center was outstanding as well. I felt a sense of accomplishment every time I approached the building.” In addition to being able to work with one of the best orchestras in the country, Taylor says he relishes the opportunity to have played alongside some of the nation’s best young musicians. “Working with students from schools such as The Julliard School, New England Conservatory, The Eastman School of Music, and Indiana’s Jacobs School of Music, just to name a few, was a very eye opening experience. Having the opportunity to make close relationships with some of the best musicians of my age group was invaluable.”

One of his fondest memories from the Summer Music Institute was performing on the Millennium Stage as a finalist in the Concerto Competition. “The opportunity to perform solo at such a major venue is not available too often to college students,” notes Taylor. He says the most challenging aspect of the program was making sure he was prepared, every day, to go into rehearsal and play his best. “Usually in a collegiate ensemble there is some room for error, since not everyone holds themselves to the same standards. When everyone in rehearsal with you is a serious performer, you have to give your best at all times. As challenging as it was to hold up such a high standard of playing, I found it even more rewarding.” Taylor has been playing bassoon for the past six years. His music career dates back to childhood. He began playing violin when he was six years old. In seventh grade, Taylor joined the band at Tequesta Trace Middle School and played the saxophone. At Cypress Bay, he played baritone in the marching band and trombone in the jazz band. After graduating from FSU, Taylor says he would like to play bassoon professionally, either in an orchestra or chamber ensemble. The National Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Music Institute provides students with training and experiences designed to aid aspiring musicians for futures in music. The program includes intensive coaching, private lessons, rehearsals with members of the orchestra, classes in conducting and ensemble skills, and seminars on subjects including audition techniques.

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Weston Teen Starts Chinese Program at Boys & Girls Clubs By Debby Teich

Can Do Kid

eventeen-year-old Rachel Bomser of Weston is among many Americans that are studying Mandarin as a second language. For the past three years, she has been sharing her passion for the Chinese language and culture with kids at the Florence A. DeGeorge Boys & Girls Club in Davie. She has been teaching them to speak, write and read the language during Hao Pengyou (“Good Friend”) Hour at the club. Once a week, Rachel meets with approximately 15 students that range in age from upper elementary to middle school. “I developed this project to share my love of the Chinese language and culture with other children, especially those who do not have the opportunity to learn Chinese at their schools,” said Rachel. Rachel created her own lesson plans, which include weekly vocabulary, games and take home activities. She focuses on teaching basic conversational skills and vocabulary that the children want to learn, such as colors, clothing, sports, food, and animals. They record the Chinese characters, phonetic pronunciation and definitions in notebooks. Rachel also teaches the children about Chinese culture and holidays. In February, for example, they celebrated the Chinese New Year by making decorations and sampling traditional Chinese treats. “Our club members absolutely love the class,” said Michelle White, Club Director. “They are thrilled to be able to go home and teach their parents what they have learned about the culture of China and show off their new language skills. The value of the class extends beyond the time spent in the classroom with Rachel, because it provides our youth with a fun, new opportunity to engage with their parents.” In an effort to reach out to more students, Rachel expanded the program this year. Some of her classmates are now teaching the curriculum at the Rick & Rita Case Boys & Girls Club in Davie. Rachel, who attends University School of NSU, started studying Mandarin seven years ago and is currently taking AP Chinese. She has also attended

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Startalk, an intensive Chinese program offered at the University of South Florida, and taken online classes. She says that Chinese is difficult to learn, because it is so different from English. “In Chinese, there are multiple pronunciations of the same word and an incorrect pronunciation can alter the meaning,” said Rachel. “The grammar is also difficult to learn, because the sentence structure is different than English.” Rachel tries to speak Mandarin whenever she can, including at a local dim sum restaurant. After she graduates high school, she plans to visit China, where she will have a greater opportunity to practice everything she has learned. She wants to major in Chinese in college and ultimately work in the Hospitality industry. “The ability to speak Chinese will help me in my career, whether it is working in China or communicating with Chinese hotels and industries,” said Rachel. “My dream is to work for Disney and there are many opportunities to work in or in conjunction with the Disney Hong Kong Resort and Disney Shanghai Resort.”

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The latest options in prostate cancer treatment. Improvements in the effectiveness of prostate cancer treatments are changing the outlook for men diagnosed with the cancer for the better. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men, Barbara Ercole, MD and the second leading cause Urologist of cancer death among men in the United States. One in seven men is likely to be diagnosed in their lifetime; most cases are found in men over age 65. Today’s prostate cancer treatments include surgery, radiation and drugs that slow cancer cell growth. The safety and effectiveness of these treatments are steadily improving. “Each treatment has its own benefits and risks, and choosing the right approach can be complicated,” says Barbara Ercole, MD, a urologist at Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston. “Narrowing treatment options depends on several factors, which include the stage of the cancer and patient comorbidities and preferences.” In some cases, no treatment might be the most appropriate first step. Called “active surveillance,” this strategy allows men with early-stage or very slowgrowing prostate cancer to avoid treatment and its side effects. The patient’s cancer is regularly monitored so that action can be taken if the cancer grows or spreads.

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Six Weston Students Claim College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships

School News

By Stacey Bomser

ix Weston students were among the nearly 4,000 National Merit Scholars to receive scholarships financed by colleges and universities. Each sponsor college selected its scholarship winners from the elite group of finalists in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program. ▸▸ Jared Barclay, a graduate of University School of Nova Southeastern University, received a National Merit Claremont McKenna College Scholarship. He intends to pursue a career in finance. Claremont McKenna College is an independent, coeducational, liberal arts college located 35 miles east of Los Angeles. It seeks to educate its students for responsible leadership in business, government and the professions. ▸▸ Lauren Goboff, an American Heritage School graduate, received the National Merit Carleton College Scholarship. The first private college in the Upper Midwest to have chapters of Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi honor societies, Carleton has been committed to academic excellence since its founding in 1866. Lauren’s probable career field is undecided. ▸▸ Alan Pnakovich, a graduate of American Heritage School, received a National Merit Colorado College Scholarship. His probable career field is in environmental science. The Colorado College in Colorado Springs is a coeducational college founded in 1874. The independent liberal arts college emphasizes broad education in the arts and sciences based on both exchange and evaluation of ideas and on dissemination of information. ▸▸ Jennifer Schonberger, a Cypress Bay High School graduate, received a National Merit Northwestern

SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

University Scholarship. Her probably career field is journalism. Northwestern University is a major teaching and research institution with specific professional schools of Education, Social Policy, Engineering, Journalism, Music, and Speech. ▸▸ Lindsey Spring, an American Heritage School graduate, received a National Merit University of Miami Scholarship. Her probable career field is architecture. The University of Miami, in Coral Gables, is a private, independent, international university with students from 50 states and over 100 countries. Undergraduate programs are offered in over 50 areas of study, and there are over 100 programs offered at the master’s and doctoral levels. ▸▸ Kerstin Yu, a Cypress Bay graduate, also received a National Merit University of Miami Scholarship. Her probable career is surgical medicine. College-sponsored awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship. This year, 183 colleges and universities are sponsoring about 3,900 Merit Scholarship awards. This includes 106 private and 77 public institutions located in 44 states and the District of Columbia. These six Weston students are among the 7,400 2015 National Merit Scholars. Together, these distinguished high school graduates will receive scholarships for undergraduate study worth more than $32 million. They were selected based upon their scores on the 2013 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which was taken by 1.4 million students during the fall of their junior year.

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Falcon Cove Teacher Tours Germany Through TOP Fellowship

school news

By Stacey Bomser

Falcon Cove Civics Teacher Christina Stewart outside the historic town of Schwabisch Hall, Germany.

tudents in Christina Stewart’s seventh grade civics class at Falcon Cove Middle School will learn about more than just U.S. government this year. Mrs. Stewart plans to incorporate some of what she learned and experienced while taking part in a two-week trip to Germany through the Transatlantic Outreach Program (TOP). She was one of 100 social studies educators selected to take part in the fellowship. Through the program, the teachers were able to learn first-hand about past and present Germany. “We traveled to Geisa where we went to the Point Alpha

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Memorial to learn about the division line between East and West Germany. We visited the Buchenwald Concentration Camp in Weimar. That was an emotional experience. To walk the grounds and know what went on there was eerie and discomforting, but my students will only benefit from that experience.” The trip ended in Berlin, where the teachers visited the Richstag (German Parliament building), the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Holocaust Memorial, and the Berlin Wall Memorial where they heard stories of those who were killed trying to escape from East Germany. The teachers also took part in a home visit with residents of Berlin who shared their personal experience of when the Berlin Wall fell. Mrs. Stewart says it is important for students today to see how Germany has changed. “Students need to realize that while Germany does acknowledge and remember its past, it has also moved on from it. Germany is now a democracy and a leading member of the European Union, with a booming economy. In my classroom, students will compare Germany’s government structure to our own and learn about the main similarities and differences.” In addition to learning about the history of Germany, Mrs. Stewart says she also had the opportunity to learn about its educational system. “We toured numerous schools to learn about the apprenticeship structure they have set up. We also visited a vocational training center and many different government offices to learn about how Germany is dealing with new immigrants.” Mrs. Stewart says one of the highlights of her trip was listening to a Bach concert in the same church where he served as cantor and is now buried. “It was angelic.” She also enjoyed sampling the sourdough bread baked from a 150-yearold recipe at the Faber Bakery, the oldest in Thuringia. Mrs. Stewart says she feels fortunate to have been able to take part in the Transatlantic Outreach Program. “Seeing and experiencing things make a world of difference in learning. Programs like TOP change you and make you a better educator. It allows you to see a new perspective and have group discussions with other teachers from all over the country. It is by far the best way to improve your own classroom.”

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Cypress Bay Teacher Helps Revise Holocaust Education Curriculum for Florida Students school news

By Stacey Bomser

Cypress Bay High School teacher is helping change the way Florida students learn about the Holocaust. Amiee Sarajian was selected to serve on a state task force to revise and update the Department of Education’s Holocaust Education Manual. Mrs. Sarajian says the beauty of the new curriculum is that it reaches students who never took a History of the Holocaust course. “Teachers will be able to incorporate lessons of the Holocaust as it relates to the subject they are teaching. So, for example, if I teach Government or Economics, there will be lessons on how to incorporate the History of the Holocaust into topics such as the Jim Crow Laws or the study of inflation.” Many of the concepts for the new curriculum came from ideas gathered during a Teacher Information Exchange Program that Mrs. Sarajian attended this past summer in Lithuania through the Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education at Florida Atlantic University. She says it was an incredible learning experience, nothing you can get from textbooks. During the workshop, educators from each country shared lessons and projects on a subject they all feel passionate about, the Holocaust. Mrs. Sarajian says she is grateful for the experience to visit Lithuania and work alongside teachers whose country was gravely affected by the Holocaust with the genocide of nearly 200,000 Lithuanian Jews. “Studying the Holocaust in the former Soviet Union, Lithuania in particular, I really have an appreciation for the rich culture of Jewish Vilna. All that was lost in the Holocaust was truly a tragedy.”

She believes taking part in this teacher exchange will make her a better educator. “We are living in a global world today. Being able to understand one another’s culture and understand the complexity of this history through visiting these countries and learning and speaking to those educators there, and the people who live there, deepens our understanding when teaching this sensitive material.” In light of what is happening in the world, Mrs. Sarajian believes it is more important than ever to teach children about the Holocaust. “Students must be aware of how atrocities like the Holocaust can happen and repeat themselves in our world today. Genocides follow similar patterns. When Hitler gave his order for the Final Solution, he said to his men, ‘Who after all remembers the Armenians?’ referring to the 1915 genocide in Ottoman, Turkey. More recently, with crimes against humanity in the Middle East and Africa, and even cases of human rights infringement in the United States, history tends to repeat itself if not recognized and acted upon. Education is the key. If we can learn from history, especially the Holocaust, we can try to make better choices for society and the rights of individuals. If we don’t learn anything we are doomed to repeat our mistakes.” The Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education at FAU provides educators with teaching resources and opportunities to study in Lithuania and other countries. For more information on its services visit http://www.coe. fau.edu/centersandprograms/chhre/index.php.

Amiee Sarajian (seated on right) and colleagues pose at “The Sparkling of Hope” Holocaust memorial at the site of the former Vilnius Ghetto Council in Lithuania.

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Temple Dor Dorim’s Preschool Introduces New Nutrition and Health Curriculum School News

By Stacey Bomser

oung students at the Temple Dor Dorim Early Childhood Education Center are learning more than their ABC’s and 123’s. These children are learning the importance of a healthy diet and exercise. The new curriculum is an expansion of the “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind” mission the preschool adopted last year. The program is being funded by a grant from the USDA through FLIPANY, a nonprofit organization focused on health and nutrition in schools. “The nutrition curriculum provides specific lesson plans using children’s characters like Dean Protein and Jane Grain and lots of great recipe ideas for the classroom, as well as a parent education component,” explain Jodi Cohen, Director of Early Childhood Education at Temple Dor Dorim. “We are also teaching children the importance of gardening and growing our own food. Our garden this year will focus on the process of The Mighty Milers stretch before a morning run. growing food and using

instill these habits, then we lose it in recipes in the classroom, the opportunity to create habits and ideas to be sent home to that last a lifetime.” parents.” She notes that the benefits In addition to learning about extend into the classroom. eating healthy, children will be “Research shows that healthier encouraged to be more physikids perform better on tests, cally active. “Our preschool are more focused in class, program includes sports as a behave better, are absent less, special. Yoga is incorporated and have higher self-esteem,” into the classroom curricunotes Cohen. “Study after study lum, so we are touching both shows kids who get regular on ‘body and mind,’” explains physical activity experience Cohen. “We also offer a ‘Mighty improvements not just in their Milers’ running club before This year, students will grow healthy fitness levels but in brain funcschool, through Kidokinetics. vegetables and fruits in the garden. tion too.” After school enrichments The school’s ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Mind’ mission include sports, gymnastics, and healthy cooking for extends to the teachers as well. Once she earns her kids.” personal training certificate, Cohen plans to offer As a health advocate, who is currently earning her personal training certification, Cohen is a strong pro- “boot camp style” workouts for her staff. Last year, the ponent for teaching children healthy habits at a young school sponsored a wellness retreat for teachers which included a hot yoga class, nutrition seminar, age. “Childhood obesity is on the rise. The statistics one-on-one coaching session, team building exerare scarier than ever. If we don’t instill good health cises, and a nutritious lunch. habits and promote physical activity in children, then “Teachers serve as role models so if we want our we as a country are going to be facing a major crisis. classrooms to be healthy then we need to promote the The preschool years lay the foundation and serve as behaviors that result in that in ourselves so that our the building blocks for future success and if we don’t children see and follow our lead,” adds Cohen. seize this opportunity while children are young to

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Sagemont Early Childhood and Kindergarten Students Get a Taste for Science School News

By Stacey Bomser

uring a lesson on the functions of the human body, Early Childhood According to Principal Vigna, “teaching children to eat healthy foods and enjoy Education Science Teacher Danielle Sandi took her young students out of it is a challenge. Students need to be taught but in a way that is creative, engaging the classroom and into the kitchen. The Sagemont School preschool and and fun, just like Mrs. Sandi did.” kindergarten students took a “food trip” to learn how the food they eat affects their Teaching young children about nutrition is increasingly important as our socibodies. ety battles a growing epidemic of childhood obesity. Mrs. Sandi used this project “I thought it would be fun, interactive and educational if I brought the children to as an opportunity to teach her young students about healthy eating habits. The the kitchen and had them participate in a demonstration,” explained Mrs. Sandi. Sagemont School believes nutrition should be taught at an early age because The class discussed the food guide pyramid, how important food is, and how healthy habits equal healthy bodies. choosing the right foods can help their bodies grow. The children learned that the “Mrs. Sandi explained the food pyramid and the breakdown of what our body nutrients in food give them energy. needs every day to stay healthy,” shared Principal Vigna. “When doing her demNot only did the students learn about healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetaonstration, she filled two and half cups with vegetables to show children how big a bles, they got the opportunity to sample some. Mrs. Sandi encouraged the children full serving is. She also explained that picking a ‘good sugar item’ such as fruit is to try new things. better than choosing candy or a cookie which has ‘no good sugar’ in it. Everything “She stressed to them that if they didn’t like it, they didn’t have to eat it. However, is good in moderation.” if they did like it, they could have more,” noted Sagemont Lower School Campus Principal Vigna points out that Mrs. Sandi’s main mission with this lesson was Principal Monica Vigna. to expose children to new foods. “She wanted her students to recognize that if you With Mrs. Sandi’s help, the students were able to sample new fruits and vegdon’t try it, you don’t know if you like it and you may be missing out on something etables in a variety of forms. They were able to try raw vegetables such as carrots great. It’s okay to not like something, but know you tried. That is brave.” and broccoli. Using an extractor, they made juice from spinach, cucumber, lemon, The nutrition lesson is not the only hands-on science learning opportunity for celery, carrots, green apples, pineapple, and watermelon. The children also tried young students at The Sagemont School. “We took care of animals, such as fish, frozen popsicles made of carrot, orange and lemon juice. worms, tadpoles and frogs; learned about their functions and habitats. We made Mrs. Sandi was pleased to see that all but five the students were willing to try to a worm hotel and watched how the worms moved through layers of sand and dirt,” the juice – and 90% of them liked it. “I personally enjoyed the students’ enthusiasm shared Mrs. Sandi. “The students actually held the worms, then observed and and the excitement they got out of this experiment, knowing they were being brave made predictions on what would happen next.” to overcome a fear of the unknown.” Another hands-on science experiment she conducted was “Sink or Float.” Mrs. Principal Vigna believes the hands-on lesson actively engaged the young Sandi says her students learned that candy hearts sank in water and vinegar, but students. “They were excited to see the results of blending different fruits and vegfloated in soda because of the carbonation. etables and creating a nutritious drink high in vitamins. In addition, the students Older students are also presented with hands-on learning exercises. “Mrs. carefully observed how liquids change color when blended. They were extremely Galloway, the science teacher for grades one through five, created wonderful excited to see how something can change in a dramatic or unexpected way.” planters for the science program,” noted Mrs. Sandi. “We planted class gardens Many parents were also pleased with the outcome. Mrs. Sandi said many parand each student had the opportunity to plant, water and maintain their own seed.” ents were thankful she was able to get their children to try new things and incorpoIn addition to science, Mrs. Sandi’s nutrition experiment included multiple rate healthier habits. “Parents were coming up to me ecstatic that their child was subjects. “Students were exposed to different concepts during the juicing lesson actually trying new things. The students couldn’t wait to see me to tell me about such as math concepts (measuring, mixing, adding, counting, and sorting), sciwhat they tried at home and if they liked it or not.” ence (color, change, blend, and solids and liquids), health (eating habits, vegThis supports a recent article in the Washington Post stating “that with proper etables, fruits, and the food pyramid) and reading,” Principal Vigna explained. training and support, early child care teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the “Sometimes it is not just about blending sounds to make words, but blending ingreeating patterns of our youngest children.” dients and having fun while doing it to make healthier choices.”

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Am I Married to an Addict? By Alina Gastesi-de Armas, MA, MEd, LMHC

m I married to someone who is addicted to alcohol or other substances? People often tell themselves all kinds of stories to avoid confronting the truth about addiction. One narrative I often hear is, “When I was married to my ex-husband, I told myself and everyone around me that he was ‘in recovery’ and if I caught him using, it was only slip up. He is not like other addicts because he is home a lot, he works, he is caring and he pays the bills.” This, unfortunately, is a pattern of thinking which ultimately leaves loved ones second-guessing themselves as well as the addict in a cycle of denial. The loneliness and desperation that accompanies this is often stifling. People feel alone because there is no one to turn to after the embarrassing episodes of drunkenness, drug abuse and constant vigilance trying to determine if they’ve used today or not. There is a great deal of shame and fear that “people might find out”; someone is discovered to be an addict or revealed as a person that is married to an addict. Living with a spouse that habitually uses drugs or alcohol cannot be swept under the rug. If you even have to question it, you must seriously consider the possibility that you ARE married to an addict. Many individuals are unaware of the seriousness of the addiction until they can no longer hide it from themselves. The stories usually start with something like this: “We fell in love and I had no idea he/she had a problem because they were so wonderful in the beginning.” This is often followed by, “Now he/she stays out late, money is missing, I found needles in the garbage, something is not right and I can feel it.” Even with all of the evidence right in front of their eyes and their gut telling them what they already assumed, they often need to ask the question in a social context. Their concerns need to be validated and corroborated by others. Validation from others is the first step in recognizing the reality of your situation. Once we begin the process of realization the evidence is undeniable and often frightening. The following are some signs that you might be married to someone who is addicted to alcohol or another substance: ▸▸ the need to hide from others substance abuse issues with regards to your spouse; ▸▸ knowing that lies and deceptions stem from the use of drugs or alcohol; ▸▸ the experience of isolation and distance from others because of your spouse’s behaviors; ▸▸ feeling ashamed to share problems about your spouse’s substance use with friends and family; ▸▸ hurt and anger towards your spouse over their attitude change when actively using; ▸▸ distrust of your spouse; ▸▸ questioning your own sanity and judgment because you are trying to believe and love your spouse even though the evidence of their use and abuse is obvious. Alina Gastesi-de Armas, MA, MEd, LMHC, is Clinical Director/ CEO of A Bridge to Growth. Located in Weston, it is a non-12 step residential, intensive-outpatient, and outpatient treatment program which focuses on the core issues that drive a person to use. Call 954-330-1042 for more information.

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here is a reason that the English language has found a necessity to differentiate between the words “house” and “home.” A house is a shell - walls with a roof. A starting point. What differentiates a house from a home is what’s inside. A home is a personal reflection of one’s personality and family’s needs. By definition, remodeling a home is a very personal process that requires intense forethought and research which will influence how your family experiences their world every single day. There are a great deal of factors and variables that one must consider when they make the decision to remodel their home. Some of the most important factors to consider that will have an influence on this positive experience include budget, time constraints (timing of holidays and other special events), and family needs. Each and every segment of a home needs that careful consideration. It is often the case that when one begins to plan to remodel a portion of their home that they are unable or unaware of all of the options available to them and the associated costs. It is for this reason that choosing the correct professional who will enable them to see their vision and dream come true is paramount. In a general sense, there are several options at one’s disposal. These can include architectural designers/contractors, big box stores, or taking things into one’s own hands and seeing the entire process through themselves.

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Over a 35 year career, I have seen each of the above-mentioned scenarios played out and have seen dreams come true and nightmares created. Oftentimes one will see something that they like in a Houzz, forum, or other type of media. What one sees and what one gets are often not one in the same. When things do not go as planned, it is much too easy for one’s budget and timetable to get out of control. Working with a professional who has seen it all before can help mitigate many of these risks. The correct professional will not just sell you a bill of goods, but will see you through the entire process. They will give you an organized set of plans that match your vision, propose an itemized breakdown of all of the costs, and present an organized day-byday schedule. They will not try and sell you on their vision, but instead try to make yours come to life. Our community is between 15 and 25 years old and has reached the point where an update is beginning to become a necessity. It is essential to properly prioritize which project to undertake. Our next segment will explore specific blueprints for each area in your home. Elliott Landman has been doing architectural design in the City of Weston for past 11 years. The Weston Design Center, a vision of Kitchen Designs & More, is located at 2322 Weston Rd, in The Waterways Shoppes II. For more information please call 561-441-6008.

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SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

here is an obesity epidemic that is occurring in the United States and other countries throughout the world. Unfortunately, this epidemic is no longer primarily affecting adults, but also teenagers and toddlers. More than a third of US adults are categorized as being obese, with the 2014 census placing the percentage at 34.9%. Obesity is higher among middle aged adults between 40 - 59 years old (39.5%), but it’s a growing medical concern that is spanning all age groups. An alarming trend is the increasing percentage of children reaching weights that are placing them in the overweight or

obesity category. Excessive weight has been associated with many of the common medical conditions that are all too prevalent in society today. Some examples include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides and sleep apnea. Although these medical problems are easily associated with obesity, there are some conditions linked with excessive weight that may surprise people. They include, but are not limited to, depression, some types of cancer, asthma, arthritis, heart disease, stroke, and gallbladder stones. With the increasing trend of younger individuals becoming overweight or obese, we are starting to see medical problems emerging in children and young adults that were usually associated with adults in the past. One common example is Type II Diabetes (also called Adult Onset Diabetes), which is being diagnosed more frequently in younger individuals, including teenagers and children. It is estimated that the total healthcare cost associated with obesity and all its medical comorbidities is approximately $150 billion per year. If we maintain the current obesity trend in the United States, these figures could double by 2030. One of the problems in treating obesity is the public view or attitude towards individuals that are overweight, such as, perceiving these individuals as lacking any willpower, simply lazy or not exercising enough. This public and medical view is slowly changing, as we are finding that obesity and weight loss are not as simple as calories in = calories out. We know from treating patients over years that in most individuals we must take a multifactorial approach to helping them reach a healthy weight. There are many neuro-hormonal players that regulate appetite, cravings, metabolism and the body’s ability to tap into its fat storage supplies to fuel metabolism, rather than using blood sugar (activating fat burning). Some of the important players that must be evaluated include blood sugar, insulin, glucagon, and thyroid. In addition, the current food supply makes it tougher to get optimal weight loss results, even with proper diet and exercise. Many of the livestock that are incorporated into our food supply have been injected with growth hormones, steroids and antibiotics, in order to make the animals bigger and more profitable. These hormones are then taken in by the consumer and can play a significant role in hindering their ability to maintain a healthy weight. The markets are also inundated with high carbohydrate, high fat foods that are readily available and cheap. Generally, the healthier options are not always as appealing and come at a much larger price tag. In conclusion, weight loss may not always be as easy as calories in = calories out. Obesity generally requires a multifactorial, tailored approach that individualizes each patient, in order to not only achieve a healthy weight, but also maintain it for the long-term. Dr. Valdes Weight Loss Program is located at 17900 NW 5th Street, Suite #203-C, in Pembroke Pines. For information, call 954-613-5777 or visit www.drvaldesweightloss.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

A “New Year” Resolution Positive Parenting

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By Jodi Kurry Cohen, MS.Ed Director of Early Childhood Programs Temple Dor Dorim Early Childhood Center

ust as you started to unwind and got used to the slower pace of summer, the school year began. Not only did this mean getting our unwilling children out of bed at the crack of dawn, it also signaled the start of carpools, homework and loaded schedules. The Tasmanian Devil came in, tossed our summer lives up in the air, and left us in the midst of a juggling act trying to catch and balance the falling debris. Whether it is sports, art class, clubs, religious school or youth group, extracurricular activities are an addition to an already busy family life and usually determine how the entire family will spend their time. Will there be any night the family can all have dinner together? How will homework get done? Is there time to take the little one to the park if the older one has to be at practice? After the demands of our children’s schedules have put constraints on family time, there are also our own wants and needs to consider. How can chores be fit in between leaving work and rushing home? Working out to stay fit? Will there be a night to take a class or join a book club? The answers to all these questions are determined by the schedule of activities we set for our children and for ourselves. As parents we have control over making the family schedule, but often it’s our schedules that end up controlling us. To prevent this from happening, the key is to sit down at the beginning of the school year and set priorities before deciding everyone’s commitments. If the goal is to make the schedule a little less hectic this coming school year it will require each member of the family to make some decisions. If your oldest wants to play baseball and practices each night, then maybe he needs to choose one instead of two afterschool enrichments a week. If your daughter takes gymnastics, art and plays travel soccer year round, maybe she takes art half the year and gymnastics the other half. With this slight “loosening” of the schedule it might even open up possibilities for mom or dad, like hitting the gym one or two days or getting the chance to finally join that book club. Now is the time to make your “school year resolution.” Choose to make the family schedule a give and take, so that each member of the family still has some of their wants met, but the family “needs” can also be met….like all having dinner together at least one night a week or everyone crashing on the couch for a great night of TV. Grab ahold of that school year and don’t let that Tasmanian Devil leave you spinning out of control. Jodi Cohen has a Masters Degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education as well as a Bachelors degree in Psychology. Jodi has led many workshops on parenting, behavior modification techniques, curriculum development, special needs training and crisis management. She has been the Director of Temple Dor Dorim’s Early Childhood Center in Weston for the past 15 years. For more information, please contact Ms. Cohen at the Early Childhood Center at (954)389-1232.

Winning Foreclosure Defenses Take Center Stage

n the quickly changing landscape of foreclosure cases in Florida, at least two new defenses are being accepted by courts in favor of homeowners. If these defenses are presented with the appropriate cases to a judge, it should result in a dismissal or final judgment in favor of the borrower. The key is knowing when and how to present these defenses in your case. The first defense is one we have previously mentioned in other articles; statute of limitations. The laws that set deadlines by when lawsuits must be filed are called statutes of limitations. Different deadlines exist for different types of lawsuits, and they vary by state. In Florida, there is a five (5) year statute of limitations to file a foreclosure case. A lender that filed a previous foreclosure case which was dismissed for any reason CANNOT re-file another foreclosure case using the same date of non-payment, if the new lawsuit is filed more than five years after the date you stopped paying the mortgage. A key to a judgment in favor of the homeowner in the new action is proving that the default date on the old and new lawsuits are identical.

Another winning defense is based on the language of the notice of default and acceleration sent by the lender prior to the foreclosure. This is also commonly referred to as the “demand letter.” If the demand letter you received prior to a foreclosure indicates that you should “file a court action” in order to assert your defenses to acceleration and default, then it contradicts the language of your mortgage. Florida is considered a judicial foreclosure state, unlike the majority of states in the U.S. This means that a lender seeking to foreclose in Florida must first sue the homeowner in order to obtain title to the property after non-payment of the mortgage. A homeowner is, therefore, not required to file a court action in Florida to assert defenses to foreclosure. However, many lenders drafted their demand letters incorrectly by using language that is only appropriate to non-judicial states. Florida homeowners can use this mistake to their benefit, and may be able to dismiss the foreclosure case altogether. The attorneys at the Arcia Law Firm are privileged to successfully represent hundreds of homeowners in our community. We have foreclosure defense, loan modification and bankruptcy departments all within the same office, and we will gladly refer you to dozens of satisfied clients, so you can be confident in your decision to hire our Firm. Detailed explanations of different options available to homeowners are also discussed in a unique DVD developed by the Arcia Law Firm entitled “Fight for Your Home.” If you mention that you heard about the DVD through this magazine, you will receive a complimentary copy during your free consultation to discuss your case in detail with a member of our highly experienced legal team.

Legally Speaking

By Omar J. Arcia, Esq. Foreclosure Defense and Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney

Main Ofﬁce: 3350 SW 148th Ave. Suite 405, Miramar, FL 33027 Available for Consultation: Miami • Orlando

If you are struggling to make your monthly mortgage payments, if you are in the middle of a frustrating loan modification process, or if you just received a foreclosure summons, contact the Arcia Law Firm today at 954-437-9066 to schedule a free personal consultation with Omar Arcia, or visit www.arcialawfirm.com to schedule your appointment online, view informative articles and client success video testimonials, actual completed loan modifications organized by lender, and to chat live with one of our knowledgeable staff members.

our city weston | SEPTEMBER 2015

Prenatal Oral Care and Your Child

By Dr. Michele Lapayowker

By Dr. Maria Grosman

s we wave goodbye to our sweet children as they go back to school after a long carefree summer, a woman’s “to do” list immediately starts developing in her mind. Let’s organize the summer clothing for storage, let’s check the school website for parent meetings, let’s shop for some well needed fall clothing and hopefully, let’s catch up with our own appointments, ie; the gynecologist. It has been somewhat of a controversy lately regarding the recommended schedule for pap tests and mammograms. If you research on the American Cancer Society’s website and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), you may find varied recommended schedules. As I reconnect with many of my long term patients and meet new ones, I have realized that many women are confused by the guidelines. It is true according to the ACOG that if you have a “normal” pap, you may plan to repeat it in three years. I do not feel that this advice takes into consideration that a woman may have entered into a new relationship or started going through the menopausal changes and both of these issues may affect their previous “normal” pap. I am equally concerned that if a woman postpones her pap, she may postpone her mammogram as well as a discussion on the latest issues regarding women’s health, nutrition, cancer screening protocols and other topics. I recommend to my patients, both established and new, that they consider all of their personal factors and remember that they may not fit into the “recommended test” schedule. Every woman deserves her own personal schedule.

Another very popular question is, “when do I bring my daughter for her first gynecology exam?” Again, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology states that a young woman is not recommended to have a pap prior to age 21. We must proceed with caution with this general advice. If a young woman has irregular cycles or acne or questions regarding birth control, it may be appropriate to have a gynecology consultation prior to age 21. We must remember that the gynecologist offers much more to a woman besides “the pap.” I encourage parents to educate their sons and daughters regarding their bodies, puberty and relationships years before they turn 21. A common time to visit the gynecologist for the first time is before the young woman starts college. Again, this visit can merely be an educational conversation regarding the responsibilities a young woman has to her health and well being. If a physical exam is indicated, it can be discussed respectfully and sensitively at that time. So, as the weather barely cools and our homes become a little quieter now that the school year has begun, take care of yourself and your daughters. Do not be afraid to ask questions about guidelines and do not hesitate to create your own with your gynecologist. Disease prevention is our main goal and being informed is critical for this to be successful. Michele Lapayowker, D.O., F.A.C.O.O.G., is a board certified gynecologist. Her practice is in Plantation at 201 NW 82nd Avenue, Suite 104, in the Bennett Medical Plaza. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 954-472-2201 or visit www.LovelyLadyGyn.com.

SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

ask the expert

Your Personal Pap Test Schedule

hat does your personal oral care have to do with your newborn? More than you think.... Unaware of its importance, many women avoid regular dental care during and immediately after pregnancy. In addition, uneducated dentists may not stress its importance and may even be less willing to provide certain services during pregnancy. This is very unfortunate for there are definite implications of poor oral health in pregnant women, for their pregnancies, as well as for their children. Multiple studies have shown links between periodontal disease (infection of the gums and bones supporting the teeth) and adverse outcomes in pregnancy, including preterm deliveries, low birth weight babies, and preeclampsia. Children born to mothers with poor oral hygiene and high levels of certain oral bacteria have a significantly higher risk of developing cavities at an early age. This may be one of the causative factors in a child’s development of a condition called early childhood caries or ECC. ECC is a complicated situation in which cavities occur rampantly at an age in which needed care may be difficult to deliver. Fortunately, most of the causes of both cavities and ECC are preventable. Cavities are caused in large part by having high levels of certain oral bacteria. Although children are not born with these cavity causing bacteria, they are eventually transferred by caregivers to children. This can occur, for example, by blowing on a hot spoon of cereal. It is not natural, or possible, to forever eliminate these bacteria. However, the longer it takes to transfer, the more it decreases the risk of cavities, in general, and ECC, specifically. This can be accomplished by eliminating cavities in the mouths of mothers (and all caregivers for that matter) and reducing the amount of plaque through regular dental checkups, cleaning and application of topical fluoride (in toothpaste and rinse). It would be easiest to complete all dental work prior to pregnancy. However, it is important to keep in mind that most dental procedures can be accomplished during pregnancy. The safest and most comfortable time to accomplish dental work during pregnancy is the second trimester. We recommend using this time not only to receive services, but also to obtain tips for oral care for mother and baby. There are many special circumstances during pregnancy. For example, nausea and vomiting can create some difficulty in controlling the acid levels in the mouth, which can increase the risks of both enamel erosion, as well as cavities in the mother. You would be surprised at the creative strategies which can be used to overcome many of these challenges. Drs. Maria and Alon Grosman are Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and Orthodontist. Their office is located at 4401 S Flamingo Road, on the NW corner of Griffin and Flamingo Road. For information or to schedule an appointment, call (954) 236-3434

Michele J. Lapayowker, D.O., FACOOG Board Certified GyneColGy • Well Woman Exams, including pap smears & breast exams • Adolescent Counseling and “First” Exams • Contraception Planning including Skyla, Mirena, Paraguard & Nexplanon • Menstrual Problems and Management • Perimenopause, Menpause and Hormone Evaluation & Management • Basic Nutrition and Lifestyle Counseling

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our city weston | SEPTEMBER 2015

section head Legally Speaking

I Thought My Divorce Was Over! By Evan Baron

here is a saying often used in family law, which is that “if you have children, you are never divorced.” I repeat that saying several times each week to both existing and new clients. Even after a divorce is finalized, there are still potential problems which may arise. If you have the opportunity to read a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, the Court will retain jurisdiction in the matter. That is to ensure that if issues arise, the parties have the legal right to petition the court for relief. There are some issues, however, which cannot be re-litigated. A large percentage of my practice is devoted to “post judgment matters,” such as child support, alimony, custody, visitation and parental relocation. All of the above matters can be addressed by the court if there is a failure to comply with an existing court order or if, due to a “substantial change in circumstance,” one of the parties is seeking a modification.

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The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.

SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

For instance, if the primary residential parent is not receiving his/her child support, then an enforcement action can be brought. If one of the parents loses his/her job through no fault of their own, then a modification to reduce either child support or alimony can be filed. If one of the parents is not allowing scheduled visitation or if due to a change in circumstance the visitation schedule must be changed, a modification proceeding can be filed. Of course, not every issue can be re-litigated. The equitable distribution of assets and debts is a matter which cannot be disturbed after the Final Judgment, unless the parties themselves reach an agreement or one of the parties can prove fraud or coercion in the original agreement. In addition, child support cannot be increased unless the party seeking an increase can show a substantial change in income which would result in an increase of at least $50.00 per month or 15% over the existing monthly payment. Of course, one can never attempt to overturn an agreement simply because he/she has changed their minds and now feels it is perhaps unfair. I always try and tie up all lose ends when finalizing an agreement between the parties. The last thing either party wants is continued litigation, which means continued stress and continued attorney’s fees. Sometimes a matter can be resolved by the parties simply discussing the matter. I am always amazed at how often issues can be resolved by a simple phone call, letter or email. If both parties truly want what is best for their child, then a compromise should not be so difficult. Unfortunately, some parties wish to continue the litigation based upon emotional issues. This is never a good idea and, more often than not, it is the children who suffer. The law firm of Evan H. Baron and Associates is located at 1655 North Commerce Parkway, Suite 201, in Weston. For information or a free consultation, call 954-385-9160.

Did You Know?

Back Care Quiz

ow well do you know how to care for your back? Take this true or false quiz: 1. It is Sunday morning. After gardening the day before you feel stiff getting out of bed. When bending over to pick up the newspaper you feel a sharp pain in your back and can’t straighten up. The best thing to do is lie on the couch with a heat pack. FALSE. For any acute injury, meaning less than three days, cold should be applied, not heat. Heat engorges the injured tissue with stagnant blood, increases inflammation and prolongs recovery time. Cold, on the other hand, encourages fresh blood into the area by flushing out the stagnant blood, helps reduce inflammation and speeds healing. Cold also assists in breaking the pain-spasm cycle typical of acute back or neck strains. As a rule of thumb...when in doubt, use cold. Some points to remember: ▸▸ Always wrap the ice pack in a cloth ▸▸ Apply for 15-20 minutes, about every one to two hours ▸▸ Apply compression (i.e.: lie on the ice pack) ▸▸ Ice is not a cure. See your chiropractic doctor to ensure your spine and back muscles return to optimum function. ▸▸ Lastly, get off the couch. Keep upright and mobile as much as possible.

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2. According to the U.S. Government’s Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, the only two treatments proven safe and effective for reducing most forms of back pain are chiropractic spinal manipulation and non-prescription medication. TRUE. In 1994 this United States government agency released its comprehensive, evidence-based guideline for the management of back pain. Bed rest, natural remission (e.g.: do nothing), prescription drugs, modalities such as traction, TENS, ultrasound and massage, as well as injections, needle acupuncture and surgery were all either clearly rejected or strongly recommended against. However, reliance on non-prescription medication for controlling back pain may be detrimental to long-term health. Chiropractic doctors point out that relying on medication can mask an underlying back problem, such as deteriorating spinal function or spinal misalignment. Undiagnosed and untreated, a back problem “silenced” by medication can lead to far more serious health issues later. Over the past three decades, every major independent study of back pain treatment has concluded that spinal adjustments when performed by chiropractors are safe, effective and the treatment of choice. Chiropractic doctors are the only health professionals that specialize in spinal adjustments, and perform over 90% of all manipulation administered in health care. Following a minimum of three years of university pre-requisites, chiropractic students accumulate over 1500 hours of training in diagnosis and adjusting skills during four years at chiropractic college, making chiropractors, without question, the most highly trained and skilled in the delivery of spinal adjustments. For a consultation or more information you can reach Dr. Rick Behar and Dr. Marc Browner at Windmill Health Center in Weston at 954-217-4881. They have two additional locations to serve you in Pembroke Pines and Plantation. Contact the Weston location for more information.

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Legal Counsel to Community Associations Since 1977

By Jorge A. Perez, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Ask the Expert

Representation you can trust.

It’s Not Just About Your Social Network Profile

hese days we hear a lot about our social network profiles. However, there is another profile that helps to define our image. One of the most common areas requested for plastic surgery improvement by both women and men is the neck. Youth and attractiveness are defined by a strong jawline and a firm, clean neckline. The aging process in the neck usually starts by age 40 and is affected by several components: the skin, bones and cartilage, and the underlying soft tissue, including the muscles and fat. Treatment options will depend upon the correct evaluation of each of these elements.

The Treatment Options

Offices in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Main Office: Suntrust Plaza, 201 Alhambra Circle, Suite 1100, Coral Gables, FL 33134 800-737-1390 | www.srhl-law.com

Jaw surgery or chin implants can help compensate for a bony profile deficiency. These procedures however can be complicated and should be approached cautiously with experienced surgeons. A very small degree of skin laxity under the chin can be addressed by a number of non-invasive energy based devices. The treatments can be costly and the results can be disappointingly minimal. Fillers, Botox and other injectables generally do not have a role here. Younger patients with excess neck fat alone and good skin tone may benefit from liposuction. Ultrasonic lipoplasty is an advanced liposuction technique that will also stimulate neck skin tightening. The most common aging change affecting the neck is hanging skin, affectionately known as the “turkey neck”. In addition, loose muscles can contribute to the “gobbler” or wattle. A muscular sling in the neck that is tight in youth but A patient’s profile shown before and after necklift surgery. Photos courtesy of Perez Plastic Surgery. begins to separate as we age is called the platysma. The separation in this muscle causes two ridges that define the neck bands of age. A common treatment to correct this separation is to sew these bands together with a small incision under the chin. A unique, less invasive, operation performed by our office is to combine neck muscle repair with ultrasonic lipoplasty for skin tightening in carefully selected patients. We were privileged to present this procedure to plastic surgeons in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

The Gold Standard

The gold standard for neck rejuvenation however, continues to be the conventional face and neck lift. The procedure allows for redraping of the cheeks, jawline jowls and neck in a more even and complete fashion. The anatomy of this area is complex, therefore a thorough consultation with a plastic surgeon experienced in face and neck surgery is required. Many options exist for rejuvenation of the neck and lower face. The procedures can be safe and effective in proper hands. The plastic surgeon, facility and anesthesia all play an important role in the outcome. Cost should never outweigh quality, experience and safety. Dr. Perez has been selected among Castle Connolly/U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Top Doctors. He has lectured internationally on face and neck rejuvenation surgery and has been featured as a plastic surgery expert for major media outlets. Surgery is performed at the Broward Health Imperial Point Outpatient Surgery Center with physician anesthesiologists. To learn more about any of these procedures visit www.PerezPlasticSurgery.com.

SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

Welcome to Perez Plastic Surgery

TrusT The PlasTic surgeon…anD eDucaTor… honoreD To be chosen by oTher DocTors*

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Congratulations Dr. Perez anD staff! Selected again to America’s Top Doctors for 2015-2016. 16th year in a row!

*since 1998 Dr. Perez has been selected among castle connolly’s America’s Top Doctors or Best Physicians in the U.S. castle connolly/ u.s. news and World report conducts an independent survey of doctors and medical leaders annually to identify the top 1% in each specialty. Doctors do not, and cannot, advertise or pay to be selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor.

J o r g e A . P e r e z , M D , F. A . C . S . certified, american board of Plastic surgery Medical school, residency and former Faculty Member, The albert einstein college of Medicine in new york Dr. Perez has been featured on:

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954.351.2200 • PerezPlasticSurgery.com

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• Backed by Broward Health hospitals • Urgent care pricing, NOT hospital pricing • Seamless transition to Broward Health ERs if needed • Board certified physicians • X-ray capabilities • Open 7 days a week • No appointment needed • In and out in under an hour • Most insurances accepted • Several convenient locations Your health is too important to leave to chance. Trust the name you know. Broward Health. Powerful Medicine.

CORAL SPRINGS • PLANTATION • WESTON BrowardHealth.org/UrgentCare our city weston | SEPTEMBER 2015

Attorney At LAw

Michael e. Muchnick P.a. Your Hometown Lawyers, Dedicated to Personal Service

Lesli E. Muchnick, Michael E. Muchnick, Jef frey D. Muchnick, Jessica E. Muchnick Serving South Florida for 34 Years

· Personal Injury *· · DIvorce · • Automobile Accidents

• Paternity/Relocation

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2883 Executive Park Drive · Suite 101 · Weston, FL 33331

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*No Recovery, No Fee, No Costs We Accept MAjor credit cArds. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.

SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

Health & Wellness

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How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes and Vision By Dr. Jane Therrien

n today’s society, nearly every American is either suffering from diabetes or has a loved one suffering from this disease. The frequency of this potentially deadly disease has skyrocketed in recent years due, partially, to the growing unhealthy eating habits in the United States. In this country alone, nearly 30 million children and adults suffer from diabetes. This staggering statistic is accompanied by another fairly alarming fact. We all know that South Florida is one of the greatest melting pots of culture in the United States and according to Diabetes.org, “minorities including African Americans and Hispanics are about two times more likely to have diabetes as non-minorities”. These two facts alone can undeniably demonstrate the importance of understanding this disease and the affect it may have on our bodies and vision. Diabetic retinopathy is a common condition occurring in persons with diabetes which causes progressive damage to the retina. The retina is the light sensitive lining at the back of the eye. Through the help of the cornea and the lens of our eye, an image is then projected onto the retina. We can think of the retina as being like the film in a camera. If there is no film, there is no image, and if there is no retina, there is no vision. As most of us know, diabetes is a disease that interferes with the body’s ability to use and store sugar which can cause many health issues. Through time, diabetes will begin to affect your vision through damage to the retina. In patients with diabetes, we see that small blood vessels lining the retina begin to leak both fluid and blood, gradually causing the retina to thicken and swell. This swelling consequently leads to an uneven retina leading to blurred vision. In the more advanced stages of diabetes, the disease causes blood vessels to begin to grow abnormally from the retina into the vitreous or gel-like fluid in the back of our eye. This abnormal growth causes bleeding, scarring, and contraction of the vitreous which may lead to retinal detachment and will also lead to blind spots in vision and overall blurriness. Annual eye examinations are an essential for everyone, however for those who suffer with diabetes, these examinations are crucial. There are countless cases of patients who do not take the severity of diabetes-inflicted damage on the eye seriously, and as a result have unfortunately experienced vision loss, some even to the point of total blindness in one or both eyes. If you or anyone you know suffers from diabetes, be sure to emphasize the importance of scheduling routine eye exams at least once a year, not only for overall vision, but also for the health of your eye. For a consultation or more information, you can reach Dr. Therrien at Weston Family Eyecare, 4472 Weston Road, (954) 888-9393. Dr. Therrien and her staff look forward to exceeding your expectations.

WESTON FAMILY EYECARE We provide our patients with the best vision and eye health care using the latest state-of-the-art technology in a warm, caring, and professional atmosphere.

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our city weston | SEPTEMBER 2015

Understanding How to Manage the Course

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SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

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By Dean Sklar, PGA Professional

olf course management for a player Dean Sklar, PGA means understanding how to play the best round possible by using your strengths as a player against the challenges the golf course has to offer. To play winning golf, you must learn to play the course and not worry about what your opponents are doing during their round. When you set out to manage the golf course, you are playing against par. Your goal is to utilize every shot necessary to score as close to par as possible. If you get together with friends to play a friendly round of skins on the weekends, then you could most likely expect to win a majority of the holes in the round. The decisions you make as far as club selection, shot selection and relief from man-made obstacles should all be centered around shooting par. For example, if there is a hole at the course you play that has a small creek that everyone tries to drive over, then this presents a golf course management decision for you. Can you hit it over the creek? If you can, does that put you in a better spot to hit the green than laying up short of the creek? When you play to make a par, you make better decisions and wind up occasionally putting yourself in position to make a birdie. One of the things that proper golf course management can do for you is to make realistic club sections. In order to make proper club selections, you must first spend time hitting your clubs on the practice range and becoming familiar with the distance each club gives you. You will also want to pay attention to the height you get with each club, and which club seems easier to control in terms of placing shots where you want them. Club selection when managing the golf course focuses on the right club to get the job done. If you are more comfortable putting the fringe than chipping, then use that in your round. If you get more accuracy with your 3 iron than your 5 wood then use that for longer approach shots. Understand your clubs and become familiar with what they can do to help you manage the course and improve your game. Golf course management is more about you and the golf course than you and the people you are playing with and against. Even weekend golfers get the occasional par or birdie, but golfers who can manage a golf course properly learn how to maintain the discipline necessary to score on every hole. Golf course management means understanding that the goal is the final number on the score card and not necessarily trying to outplay everyone from hole to hole. If you get caught up in peer pressure on the golf course and forget about managing the course, then your score will certainly start to get worse. One of the best lessons I ever had was a playing lesson with my club’s PGA Professional that focused on course management. When I go out on the course, whether recreationally or in a tournament, I focus on my course management to play better golf and thus see lower scores on my scorecard. PGA Professional Dean Sklar is a member of the Quarter Century Club of the PGA of America, an elite group of members who have served the PGA with honor and pride for 25 years. If you would like to talk to Dean about your golf game, contact him at Dean.Sklar@FloridaMoves.com or at the Rose and Dean Sklar Real Estate Group at Coldwell Banker, 1760 Bell Tower Lane in Weston, (954) 389-6197 or on Dean’s cell at (954) 298-3616. Visit him online at www. WestonFloridaUSA.com.

By Linda Janasz

s a journalist, sociologist and researcher, I have observed profound success and great suffering. It’s not surprising that few individuals know how to find balance in an unbalanced world; learning to surf one’s 65,000 daily thoughts is not an easy task. After many years of research and interviewing thousands of individuals, I have found that if you want to change how you feel, look and behave, you must first change your relationship with your thoughts. Creating a new relationship with your thoughts can profoundly impact your wellbeing at every level. By cultivating the mind, regulating energy and information flow, one can learn to be with emotions rather than fight them. When a Time magazine article posited that there was a “Mindful Revolution,” meditation became a tool used in the business community, used to help manage eating disorders, weight loss, addiction, anxiety, and attention issues. Not only can this ancient practice help increase the bottom line, it can also help us improve how we handle our challenges and meet our goals. By introducing these practices into our lives, we not only see increased productivity, but also individuals that are more adaptive, healthier and happier, both in the home and the workplace. By incorporating these techniques into your daily life, you also create more opportunity for wellbeing and peace. Today, neuroscientists have produced brain scans that prove that meditation can actually change the size of key regions of our brains, improving memory, making us more compassionate and resilient under stress. These changes impact every aspect of our lives, including how we interact with our work and ourselves. After many years of work and research, I developed an intensive six-week integrated program that has helped thousands of individuals learn the science behind neuroplasticity and Mindful Meditation, introducing the most effective meditation tools, and creating individualized practices for an enhanced mind-body connection. Participants found that not only can we rewire our brains, but we can also change our attitudes. Karen Saunders, a mother of three and an investment specialist, says that she was feeling so stressed that it was taking a toll on her health. “I didn’t have the mechanism to separate or pull away from the stress and needed something to assist me.” After only two weeks in the program, she discovered that her blood pressure was the best it had been in years. “Being mindful and self-aware has been a significant change.” Cultivating a personal practice is difficult, and, like with any new skill, you need a teacher that can guide you. If you chose to embark on a program, I recommend you find a skilled practitioner. If you can breathe, you can meditate; it may seem simple, but it is not easy. A daily mindfulness practice helps many live healthier, more joyful and productive lives. Linda Janasz, Ph.D., is a researcher, transformational coach, keynote speaker, journalist, and yoga teacher (RYT 200). She has developed a six-week Mindfulness, Meditation and Movement program that has helped thousands of individuals. Mindfulness, Movement and Meditation Training with Linda Janasz will be held in September and October at Weston Yoga, 2600 Glades Circle, Suite 400. For more information or to register, please call 954-349-6868 or visit www.westonyoga.com.

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By Alina Gastesi-de Armas, MA, MEd, LMHC

hat is Stress? Stress is a normal physical response to events that make you feel threatened or upset. When you sense danger — whether it’s real or imagined — the body’s defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction, or the stress response. The stress response is the body’s way of protecting you. When working properly, it helps you stay focused, energetic, and alert. In emergency situations, stress can save your life — giving you extra strength to defend yourself, for example, or spurring you to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident. The stress response also helps you rise to meet challenges. Stress is what keeps you on your toes during a presentation at work, sharpens your concentration when you’re attempting the game-winning free throw, or drives you to study for an exam when you’d rather be watching TV. Beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life. What are common signs that you may be experiencing unhealthy stress? How do you know when your stress level is getting to harmful breaking point? These are some physical symptoms of stress: rapid heart rate, palpitations, muscle tension, headaches, tremors, gastrointestinal distress, nausea, inability to relax even when you are not at work, trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, nightmares or flashbacks. These body signals, alone or in combination, are often ignored or medicated rather than dealt with as stress. Strong negative feelings like fear or terror of impending deadlines, perceived danger, anger, frustration, argumentativeness, irritability, deep sadness, difficulty maintaining emotional balance also appear when people are stressed. The problem is that very quickly these signs of stress begin to show up in the work place as difficulty thinking clearly, disorientation or confusion, difficulty with problem-solving and making decisions, as well as difficulty remembering instructions. Soon you may find yourself with an inability to see situations clearly, distortion and/or misinterpretation of comments and instructions. Stress often shows up as difficulty at work and/or as conflict in your intimate relationships. As we experience stress in our day to day lives and we are unable to find healthy outlets to release this stress, our body begins to release a protective hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is a steroid hormone and it is released in response to stress. The long-term activation of the stress-response system — and the subsequent overexposure to cortisol and other stress hormones — can disrupt almost all your body’s processes. This puts you at increased risk of numerous health problems, including: ▸▸ Anxiety ▸▸ Depression ▸▸ Digestive problems ▸▸ Heart disease ▸▸ Sleep problems ▸▸ Weight gain ▸▸ Memory and concentration impairment. Alina Gastesi-de Armas, Ma, MEd, LMCH is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who can help you or your loved one if there is a concern about one’s ability to handle stress. Please call her at 954-384-9373 or visit her website www. APlaceforGrowth.com.

Ankle Ligament Injuries in Children

SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

By Dr. Carlo A. Messina

ASK THE EXPERT

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Signs of Stress

igament injuries to the ankle are more common in children than previously thought. Ligaments connect bones together. When the ligament stretches beyond its elastic limit, partial or complete tears develop. The most common ligament injury in the ankle is due to a twisting injury of the foot down and in. This can occur from sports, twisting the foot under the leg in a hole, or even falling off of a shoe. These injuries may be associated with mild growth plate injuries. Usually the ligament injury or the growth plate is the more dominant problem. A thorough evaluation will best determine the injured part and the extent of it. Because the ligaments in the ankle connect below the growth plate, it was more commonly thought that growth plates are weaker than ligaments and when twisting occurs, the growth plate usually gets injured. With the increased participation in sports at a very young age, the frequency of ankle ligament injuries has been rising. Signs and symptoms include swelling present along the front part of the outer ankle. Swelling may be present on the inner ankle in severe outer ankle sprains and also with an inner ankle sprain where the foot turns down and out. Often immediate difficulty in weightbearing is noted. Discoloration to the ankle and foot may develop after a few days. Immediate evaluation is necessary to determine the extent of injury. The foot, ankle and leg are examined to determine which ligament is injured and the degree of injury associated with it. Testing the ligament’s integrity is also performed to further assess the damage. Examination of the growth plates, tendons and bones around the ankle and foot is performed to determine any associated injuries. X-rays are necessary to determine if there are any associated bone injuries. Growth plates are evaluated to see if they are out of position. MRIs are rarely necessary as a good clinical exam usually provides all the necessary information in formulating a diagnosis and treatment plan. An MRI is done only if there is suspicion of a cartilage injury that cannot be assessed via a clinical examination or x-ray. In terms of treatment, immediate care is necessary to prevent any longterm problems. Mild injuries associated with minimal swelling may be treated with rest, ice, elevation and an ankle brace. Moderate injuries in which a partial tear has occurred may necessitate immobilization for two to six weeks in a removable boot or hard cast. Severe injuries need to be immobilized in a hard fiberglass cast for four to six weeks to allow the ligaments to heal properly. Physical therapy following bracing or cast removal is necessary to improve muscle strength, ankle stability, proprioception (balance), and to restore complete ankle motion. If left untreated, chronic instability commonly develops. Recurring twisting injuries then occur with minimal stress. This will require chronic use of an ankle brace and physical therapy. In most cases surgery would be necessary to surgically reconstruct the ligaments in the ankle and allow a full return to activity. Carlo A. Messina, DPM, is a Board Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeon, Diplomate American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. He is a Foot and Ankle Surgeon with the Foot, Ankle and Leg Specialists of South Florida and specializes in treating infants, children, teens and adults. His partners are Dr. Robert Sheinberg, Dr. Al DeSimone, Dr. Fernando Moya, Dr. Alexander Bertot, Dr. Mark Fishman, Dr. David Shenassa, Dr. Nathan Vela and Dr. Michael Cohen. The South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine in Weston is located at 1600 Town Center Blvd., Suite C, (954) 389-5900 and in Pembroke Pines at 17842 NW 2nd Street, (954) 430-9901. The practice website is www. SOUTHFLORIDASPORTSMEDICINE.org.

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pet of the Month

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Woodster is a sevenyear-old Morkie (Maltese-Yorkie). His favorite toy is a football. Woodster is excited about football season because he would love to play for the Dolphins. He dislikes being left home alone. His favorite person is Grandpa Ossie. Woodster was last seen guarding the door and preventing his parents from going to work.

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Your Pet Could Be Our Pet of the Month! Every month Our City Weston randomly picks a pet of the month winner. Enter your pet today! Email entries to editorweston@ourcitymedia.com. Must include the following information to receive your prize. Owner name and email and/or phone number. Please send a high-resolution photo with your entry. Tell us a little bit about your pet… Animal name & breed:______________________________________ Age and gender of animal:__________________________________

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Favorite person:___________________________________________

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Likes & dislikes:____________________________________________

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Favorite thing to do:________________________________________

Favorite toy:______________________________________________

Last seen:________________________________________________

SEPTEMBER 2015 | OUR CITY WESTON

We Want Your Photo! Take your latest copy of Our City Weston on the road with you and you could be our lucky winner. Send us your “The World’s Favorite Newspaper™” photo and you could win a gift certificate to a local restaurant. Happy trails!

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